[The Genus Holodiscus East of the Cascades of Oregon and Washington]
Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspiraea, Rock Spiraea

Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens

Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens

Inflorescence and stem leaves of Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)

Rockspiraea as seen on gravelly slopes along the Canyon Mt. Trail #218, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness..............August 1, 2011.
Characteristics:

Gland ocean spray is a low, much-branched shrub from 0.5-2 meters tall. The twigs are often reddish, while the bark of older branches may be a deep grayish-red. The greenish, glabrous to hairy leaves are often clustered (6-7) at the ends of short spur branches, or found alternating on newer, long branches. The leaf blades may be up to 2 cm in length and may have up to 15 shallow teeth.

The small white flowers (5 petals) are up to 5 mm wide, and found in a few to several branched panicle. The latter may sometimes be replaced by a racemose inflorescence. Each of the petals is elliptic-oval in shape and about 2 mm long. The numerous stamens are about equal in length to the petals.

Leaves of Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)

Lower (left) and upper (right) surfaces of gland ocean spray from Lambertson Butte, Mt. Hood Wilderness.....August 14, 1998.
Habitat:

Gland ocean spray is found from desert valleys and hillsides to montane slopes.

Range:

Gland ocean spray is found from south-central Oregon to California and eastward through central Idaho to northwest Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.

Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens) - Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)

Flowers of Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)

Rockspiraea beginning to bloom on rock outcrops above 8600' along the North Loop Road about one-half mile downhill from the Kiger Gorge Overlook, Steens Mountain, Harney County, Oregon...................August 31, 2011.

Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)

Rockspiraea blooming on serpentine slopes along the Canyon Mountain Trail #218, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness...............August 19, 2011.

Leaves of Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)

Pubescent leaves of rockspiraea as seen on gravelly slopes along the Canyon Mt. Trail #218, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness..............August 1, 2011.
Paul Slichter