GREASEWOOD, a North American shrub (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) of the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae), and a characteristic plant of strongly alkaline and saline soils in the high plains of the Rocky Mountain region from Montana to Mexico. It is a much branched, somewhat spiny shrub, 2 ft. to 1 o ft. high, with small, fleshy, toothless and stalkless leaves. The creosote-bush (q.v.), certain species of salt bush (q.v.), and various other plants are also called greasewood.