Flower profile

Turpentine broom

Thamnosma montana

Turpentine broom (Thamnosma montana) is a low shrub in the Rutaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly February–April across the U.S.

Native to Nevada

Turpentine broom is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Nevada it's most often seen in bloom in February–April.

4states where USDA records it

868NV sightings*

3,737U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Nevada

Quick look

Thamnosma montana, the turpentine broom, or Mojave desert-rue, is a shrub in the citrus family Rutaceae. It is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Except immediately after heavy rains, its straight stems usually lack leaves, giving it a broom-like appearance. The Latin specific epithet montana refers to mountains or coming from mountains.
From Wikipedia's article Thamnosma montana, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rutaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 4 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Nevada. ^NatureServe
In Nevada, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–April. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 2 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 868 research-grade sightings of it in Nevada, ranking #36 among the 132 flowers on our Nevada list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Nevada, most flowering sightings come in February–April.

Flowering records by month in Nevada (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (182 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Nevada: Not listed Not on Nevada fully protected plants, critically endangered (NAC 527.010). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Nevada. ^{NAC 527.010}
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: UT (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records turpentine broom in 4 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah.

Nevada counties with USDA records: Clark, Lincoln, Nye.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Turpentine broom a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 7.5 to 8.0 and winter lows down to -1 °F.

Shade tolerance: High
Drought tolerance: High
Moisture use: Low
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium
Soil pH range: 7.5 to 8.0
Minimum temperature tolerated: -1 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 193
Annual precipitation range: 5 to 10 inches
Minimum root depth: 6 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Slow
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Spring and Fall
Fruit or seed: Black · Winter to Summer
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability: No Known Source

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for THMO. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 18 counties across 4 states; the most are in Arizona (8), California (5), Nevada (3).

More from the Rutaceae family (4 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Hercules' club, Northern prickly ash, Orange, Lemon.

More Nevada flowers

Lemon

Citrus × limon

🌷 Fruit tree

🌷 Grown in Nevada gardens

Creosote bush

Larrea tridentata

Native

🌼 Blooms in NV: March–May

Eastern Joshua tree

Yucca jaegeriana

Native

🌼 Blooms in NV: February–April

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile THMO.
iNaturalist, Thamnosma montana: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Thamnosma montana (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Nevada: Nevada fully protected plants, critically endangered (NAC 527.010).
Nevada: Nevada noxious weeds (NAC 555.010).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Thamnosma montana (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: Anders Hastings via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.