Chamaebatia spp.

mountain misery

Rosaceae

California and northern Baja California

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (strong)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Chamaebatia spp. is a genus of two species of low, evergreen, aromatic shrubs in the rose family, Rosaceae, native to California and northern Baja California. C. foliolosa, mountain misery or bearclover, is the widespread species, forming spreading mats 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm) tall that root as they creep and can cover large areas of forest floor. The fern-like leaves are finely divided into many small segments, dark green, and coated with sticky, resinous glands that release a strong, pungent scent, especially in heat, which gives the plant its common name. White, five-petalled flowers about 0.5 to 0.75 inch (1.5 to 2 cm) across, resembling small strawberry flowers with yellow stamens, appear in loose clusters in late spring and early summer. Small dry single-seeded fruits follow. The plant spreads aggressively by rhizomes beneath pine and mixed-conifer forest, holding soil on slopes but resprouting quickly after fire and resisting removal. The resinous foliage is flammable. Deep roots let it endure summer drought under open forest canopy.

Native Range

Chamaebatia spp. is native to California and northern Baja California, Mexico. C. foliolosa grows on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and in the foothills under ponderosa and mixed-conifer forest, while C. australis occurs in southern California and Baja.

Suggested Uses

Used in native and habitat plantings, erosion control on forest slopes, and large naturalistic gardens within its range. It binds soil and forms an evergreen groundcover under pines. Its flammability and spreading habit limit its use near buildings.

How to Identify

Low, spreading evergreen shrub with fern-like, finely divided dark green leaves coated in sticky resin that smells strongly pungent, especially in heat. White, five-petalled flowers about 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) wide with yellow stamens resemble small strawberry flowers. It forms dense mats on conifer-forest floors.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, roughly May to July, with loose clusters of white flowers held above the foliage. Bloom is heavier in openings with more light. Small dry fruits follow through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white with yellow stamens

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Mountain misery grows in full sun to part shade under open conifer canopy, in well-drained, rocky or sandy, low-fertility soils that are slightly acidic, around pH 5.5 to 6.5. It tolerates summer drought once its deep roots establish and needs no irrigation in its native climate. It spreads strongly by rhizomes, so it is given room and is hard to confine in small gardens. The resinous foliage is flammable, a point against setting it close to structures in fire-prone areas. It is seldom offered in the trade and is difficult to transplant from the wild. Established stands need little care.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Stands can be mown or cut back to keep them low and reduce fuel load, and they resprout vigorously from rhizomes afterward. Removal is difficult because severed rhizomes regrow.

Pruning Schedule

summer