General: Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium) is an upright shrub with stout stems and highly dissected leaves (odd-2-pinnate) that look like little fern fronds. Other than ferns, no other plant around Las Vegas has similar leaves.

Fernbush is an uncommon component of vegetation communities in dry, well-drained gravelly areas on bajadas into the lower mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland), Transition (Yellow Pine Forest), and Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest) life zones.

Around Las Vegas, look for Fernbush up on Mt. Charleston, in the Sheep Range, and up on the mountains in the Gold Butte Region.

Family: Rose (Rosaceae)