Please identify this plant.

[jeffmc]

I hope somebody can help me.

This bush/shrub was found in the hills in Palmdale, Ca. This is the high desert area. The elevation is about 3000 feet, very arid.* This plant is very aromatic and very toxic. I have personally suffered the affects of this plant, twice:(. Swelling, itching, hives and to a lesser extent some poison ivy like blistering.

This picture was taken in May. In late September, this plant is still very dark green (everything else has died and gone brown) but there are no flower stalks and the leaves are in a low compacted form, not stretched out as they appear here. Even when not flowering you can smell this plant before you see it.

The main plant is about 3 to 4 feet tall with the flower stalks extending to 6 feet or so.

I haven't been able to find this plant anywhere on the web.

[jeffmc]

Here is closer shot of the foliage and flowers.