Iodine-bush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
Last reviewed: November 2026
Iodine-bush (Allenrolfea occidentalis) is a perennial shrub native to AZ, CA, ID, NM and 4 more states. It blooms in July, August, and September. The flowers draw wind pollinated.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Iodine-bush, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Iodine-bush (Allenrolfea occidentalis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–72" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CA, ID, NM and 4 more states
Pollinators
wind pollinated
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Iodine bush is an unusual leafless shrub with jointed, succulent-like green stems adapted to highly saline soils, and inconspicuous flowers embedded in the stem segments. It grows on alkali flats and salt desert basins where few other plants survive.
Growing Iodine-bush
Grow Iodine-bush in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The flowers are wind pollinated and offer little to insects, but the plant's tolerance of extreme salinity makes it a rare source of cover in otherwise barren salt flat habitat.
Common questions
- How much sun does Iodine-bush need?
- Iodine-bush grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Iodine-bush bloom?
- Iodine-bush blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Iodine-bush native?
- Iodine-bush (Allenrolfea occidentalis) is native to AZ, CA, ID, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Iodine-bush attract?
- Iodine-bush draws wind pollinated.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Iodine-bush? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.