[grees-woo
d] 
| 1. | a shrub, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, of the goosefoot family, growing in alkaline regions of the western U.S., containing a small amount of oil. |
| 2. | any of various similar shrubs. |
| 3. | white sage (def. 1). |
| 4. | Western U.S. mesquite. |
| 1. | Also called greasewood. a shrubby plant, Salvia apiana, of the mint family, native to southern California, having white, hairy foliage and spikes of white or pale lavender flowers. |
| 2. | an aromatic, composite plant, Artemisia ludoviciana, of western North America, having leaves with a downy white undersurface. |
| grease·wood (grēs'wŏŏd') n. A spiny shrub (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) of western North America, having small alternate leaves, white stems, and small greenish flowers. |
greasewood
((species Sarcobatus vermiculatus), North American weedy shrub of the Sarcobataceae family. Greasewood is a characteristic plant of strongly alkaline and saline soils in the desert plains of western North America. It is a much-branched, somewhat spiny shrub, up to 3 metres (10 feet) high. The small, fleshy, toothless leaves lack stalks.
Learn more about greasewood with a free trial on Britannica.com.
