Which statement describes Rabbitbrush?

• A. Leaves are gray-green and covered with fine silvery white hairs
• B. Bright white or yellow flowers
• C. Main taproot extends at least 2 ft below the surface
• D. Grows as a climbing vine

Answer: (B)

Rabbitbrush is a shrub in the Asteraceae whose most striking feature is its flowers. The conspicuous flower heads are typically bright yellow, though some forms can have white blossoms, making the flowering display the easiest characteristic to use for identification in the field. The plant’s habit as a woody shrub rules out a climbing vine, which helps distinguish it from other plants that might look similar at a glance. While the leaves can be gray-green and may have some hair, that foliage trait is less distinctive than the showy flowers and isn’t reliable enough on its own for identification. Root depth varies and isn’t a definitive trait used to identify rabbitbrush.