One of the best parts about the monsoon storms that came through this past week—other than the much-needed rain and cooler temperatures—was the incredible smell that came with them.
There’s nothing quite like the smell of rain in the Arizona desert. But what exactly causes it?
That familiar earthy scent has a name: petrichor. It occurs when rain hits dry ground and releases natural oils and compounds that have accumulated in the soil. One of those compounds, called geosmin, is produced by microorganisms in the ground. The human nose is extremely sensitive to it, which is why we can often smell rain before it even reaches us.
Here in Arizona, the creosote bush adds another distinctive fragrance to the mix. Creosote is a hardy evergreen desert shrub with small, waxy green leaves, tiny yellow flowers, and fuzzy white seed pods. It commonly grows across the Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan deserts and is especially easy to spot on open desert flats, rocky slopes, and along washes.
The leaves are coated with aromatic oils that help the plant conserve water and protect itself from the heat. When raindrops hit those leaves, the oils are released into the air, producing the unmistakable scent many of us associate with an Arizona monsoon.
Creosote bushes are also remarkably tough. They can survive for decades with very little water, and some clonal creosote colonies are believed to be thousands of years old.
So, the next time a monsoon rolls through, step outside and enjoy Arizona’s natural air freshener.
In Arizona, we don’t stop to smell the roses—we stop to smell the creosote.
Have a great afternoon,
Joy, Jen, Kim, Kathy, Coloradas, Maxfield, Dr Shriner and Dr Ring
PS: We open at 8am on Monday morning and we can get you in for an adjustment. Walk in or call us for an appointment. 480-488-1282
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