Semi-desert. Shrublands. Spring.
Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, March 23, 2001.

The gray-green appearance, low growth form, spiny branches, and tendency to dominate large tracts of the canyon country of Southeast Utah make Blackbrush pretty easy to identify.  Its masses of yellow flowers (shown below) are attractive, but even though this plant is accustomed to drought, it is affected by prolonged drought years such as those of 1999-2004 in which it produced few flowers.  In 2005, though, the story was different: continuous winter and spring moisture produced masses of flowers on Coleogyne ramosissima and made Canyon Country golden.

"Coleogyne" is Greek for "sheathed fruit", and "ramosissima" is Latin for "many branched".  John Torrey named this genus and species in 1853 from a specimen collected by John Fremont in 1844.

Semi-desert. Shrublands. Spring.
Hunter Canyon, Utah, May 3, 2005.

Semi-desert. Shrublands. Spring.
Hidden Valley Trail, Utah, May 10, 2007.

Coleogyne ramosissima has dense, intricately branching, sharp branches and is really more gray than black, yet the plant does appear dark because it contrasts with the light-colored sands it grows in.

Semi-desert. Shrublands. Spring.
Confluence Trail, The Needles, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, May 20, 2004.

Semi-desert. Shrublands. Spring.
Hunter Canyon, Utah, May 3, 2005.

Semi-desert. Shrublands. Spring.
Mesa Arch Trail, Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, September 27, 2005.

Mature seed pods and the pear-shaped seeds are tan to rich brown and remain on the shrub into the next season, making identification easier.  Notice also the sharp points of dead branches.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Coleogyne ramosissima