Brittle Bush, Brittlebush, Incienso
Encelia farinosa
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Rounded.
Encelia farinosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.8
Where it is found
Dry stony slopes to 1000 metres.
South-western N. America - California to Utah and Arizona.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
A gum that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used for chewing. It is aromatic.
Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
Medicine
Rating: 1
A decoction of the blossoms, leaves and stems has been held in the mouth to alleviate a toothache. A poultice of the plant has been used to alleviate pain.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Other
Rating: 2
A resin that exudes from the ends of mature stems is used as a glue and as an incense in the home and in church. It has also been used to waterproof containers and has been melted then used as a varnish. The resinous branches have been used to make a quick fire.
Adhesive: Glues.
Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.
Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
Incense: Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.
Resin: Used in perfumery, medicines, paints, soap making etc. This also includes turpentine, which is extracted from many resins and used as a preservative, water proofer etc,
Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.
Waterproofing: Does what it says. See also Pitch and Oil.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen. Requires a very warm sunny position in a deep very well-drained soil. Plants strongly resent wet conditions, especially in the winter. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Another report says that the plants will tolerate temperatures down to -12°c if they are in quite dry conditions. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun. Plants have a taproot and resent root disturbance. They should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small, though they will then need protection from the cold for their first winter or so. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant foliage, Blooms are very showy.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter, making sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the tap root, and plant out in early summer. Cuttings, in pure sand, in a frame. The report does not specify the type of cutting.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist