[Rock Spiraeas and Ocean Sprays: Genus Holodiscus in the Cascade Mountains 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
![Fall foliage of Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)](microphyllus/glabrescens/glabrescens09-15-2016.jpg)
Colorful fall foliage of rockspiraea as seen on talus slopes and cliffs along the Tam McArthur Rim Trail above Three Creeks Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness........September 15, 2016.
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)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/dumosus2.jpg)
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.
![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)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/glabrescens1a.jpg)
Rockspiraea as seen on gravelly slopes along the Canyon Mt. Trail #218, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.........August 1, 2011.
![Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/glabrescens2b.jpg)
- ![Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/glabrescens4a.jpg)
![Flowers of Bush Ocean Spray, Gland Ocean Spray, Rockspirea, Rock Spiraea: Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens (Synonyms: Holodiscus dumosus, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/glabrescens2a.jpg)
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)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/glabrescens3a.jpg)
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)](../../../../basin/5petal/rose/holo/dumosus/glabrescens1b.jpg)
Pubescent leaves of rockspiraea as seen on gravelly slopes along the Canyon Mt. Trail #218, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness..........August 1, 2011.
Paul Slichter