Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata

Family: Rose (Rosaceae)
AKA: Bitterbrush, Buckbrush, Antelope Brush
Photo taken on: May 29, 2005
Location: Almont, CO
Life Zones: Plains to montane
Habitat: Dry rocky slopes

A shrub growing to 5 feet tall but usually low growing and spreading. The sweet-smelling flowers are white to pale yellow with a lot of yellow pollen which makes them appear to be yellow. Leaves are evergreen and have three teeth.

Flora of North America reference.

Stansbury's Cliff Rose
Purshia stansburyana

Family: Rose (Rosaceae)
AKA: Bitterbrush, Cliff Rose, Quinine Bush
Photo taken on: May 7, 2017
Location: Chaco Culture NHP, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Dry scrublands, woodlands, cliffs.

A shrub or small tree growing from 2 to 11 feet tall with numerous branches from a single trunk. Bark is reddish brown or gray, and shreddy. Leaves are small, thick and fan-shaped with white dots. Masses of pale yellow flowers are sweet-smelling and produce feathery seeds. Similar to Antelope Bitterbrush above, but that is usually low growing and at higher elevations, and does not produce feathery seeds.

Flora of North America reference.