greasewood

[ grees-wood ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a shrub, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, of the amaranth family, growing in alkaline regions of the western U.S., containing a small amount of oil.
any of various similar shrubs.
white sage ( def 1 ).
Western U.S. mesquite.

greasewood

/ ˈɡriːsˌwʊd; ˈɡriːsˌbʊʃ /

Also calledchico a spiny chenopodiaceous shrub, Sarcobatus vermiculatus of W North America, that yields an oil used as a fuel
any of various similar or related plants, such as the creosote bush

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; grease + wood ¹

“My bed,” she said briefly, “over there,” and she indicated a thicket of greasewood the wagon had passed on their arrival.

The night had turned chill and Clodomiro spread the serape of Doña Jocasta over a heap of flowering greasewood branches.

He had tossed a bit of greasewood on the coals that he might again study the face of El Gavilan.

On one side was cactus and greasewood and a waste of sandy land, that was already back in the Union or mighty soon would be.

The local touch in making the greasewood bush the first vegetation is very strong.

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