Ambrosia Salsola, commonly known as Cheesebush, is a fierce competitor in the area surrounding Keys View, an exhibit of Joshua Tree National Park in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Although not the most dominant, it makes a bold attempt among arroyos, desert flats, breaks in soil, mild slopes, moderate ditches, and other suitable terrain.
Cheesebush mostly assumes the stature of a small, slightly woody shrub, less than 3 feet tall. Especially established stands, however, can yield much larger specimens. Its growths emit a foul scent when crushed, supporting its common name. Being drought deciduous, arid episodes convert once bright green, narrow, needle like foliage to a desiccated sandy tan.
The endemic range of Ambrosia Salsola also covers other parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and portions of Mexico. It grows in a number of plant communities including Creosote Bush Scrub, Shadescale Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland and Pinyon Juniper Woodland. From March to June, white or yellow flowers cover the plant, followed by winged fruits of yellow, white, or pink. The genus Ambrosia, also called Ragweed, originated in the southwest United States and northwest Mexico. Some of its nearly 50 accepted species contribute to a large amount of allergenic reactions.
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