Bush, that is.

Creosote bush is the most common shrub in the Sonoran desert around Phoenix. When it rains, they release a powerful fragrance, and the desert takes on their characteristic scent. When it’s not raining (most of the time), you have to sniff it out yourself. The right sniffing technique* turns a “what’s the big deal” sniff into a “wow”.

This is one amazing desert plant. It’s common in the hottest US deserts, and ranges into South America. It can live where temperatures frequently top 120, and where rainfall is non-existent for over a year at a time. In drought, it uses only special smaller leaves, that can survive losing 77% of their moisture. They protect their territorial water rights by allelopathy — they poison their young. Mature plants release a toxin through their roots to prevent offspring from growing too close.

A fascinating plant, and it smells nice, too! Perhaps a bit overpowering, and it might not sell well as a perfume, but as a fresh desert scent, it’s wonderful.

The sniffing occurred when I was out looking at rock art. I also ran across a flock of Gambel’s quails on the trail. Unfortunately this didn’t turn into a great photo of either quails or creosote (the bush on the right), but you’ll get the idea.

* So what’s the technique? 1) Sniff normally, so you have a baseline for comparison. 2) Cup your hands around a branch of leaves, and breathe on them, like you’re fogging a mirror. 3) Sniff again — wow!

This only works with creosote bush. If you’re looking for a glue-sniffing technique, you’ll have to go back to Google. If you’re ever in Phoenix (perhaps at the start of our weekend getaway Sedona tour?), give a creosote bush a whiff!