Though it is a native of the region, creosote is also regarded as invasive, and the plants tends to spread into soil that has been disturbed or into areas that've been overgrazed by livestock.
Their offspring are clones of the previous plant, meaning that a colony of creosote bushes is a single organism.
At about 90 years old, a plant will crown and then die, leaving a new plant spreading out from the old one. One seed will create numerous crown stems, which create a colony.
The oldest known colony is the “King Clone,” which is located in the Mojave Desert in California and is believed to be almost 12,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
Creosotes have learned (plants are sentient!) to extend their lives by storing and preventing water loss by coating their leaves with a waxy film.
Creosotes help to prevent erosion and are home and food base for over 60 species of insects and small creatures including beetles, millipedes, mice, jackrabbits and kangaroo rats. They're also the only food source for 22 species of bees, which get their food from the yellow flowers they put on throughout the year. The bees then help pollinate other plants. Imagine what would happen to the food chain if the creosotes were to disappear!
Source: https://pitchstonewaters.com/creosote-bush-an-unassuming-but-ancient-form-of-life-all-around-us/
I ran into a guy early one morning frantically rushing around his massive motorcoach opening compartments and the engine bay. He thought he had a fire somewhere - he was just smelling the pungent spring bloom of creosote
ReplyDeleteHurray for the creosote bush! Another example of a plant using humans to better them selves, and 12.000 years old you say, that is pretty well immortal.
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