Bitterbrush is a tough, slow-growing shrub native to the mountainous and semi-arid regions of western North America. It grows with many slender, branching stems, often reaching about 2–10 ft (0.6–3 m) tall, though more commonly around 3–4 ft in many landscapes. Its leaves are small, wedge-shaped with three distinct lobes at the the tip (hence “tridentata”), green on top but grayish or whitish below with hairs. In spring it produces small pale yellow to creamy white flowers. Later it sets dry fruit (achenes) that are bitter tasting.
Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
•Wildlife forage: Very important browse plant—deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, and other ungulates rely on it, especially in winter when other forage is scarce. 
•Pollinators: The small flowers attract bees and other insects that help pollinate the plant. 
•Soil fixing & erosion control: It forms root nodules that fix nitrogen, helping enrich poor soils. Its deep tap root also helps stabilize slopes and rocky mountain soils.