Species Detail Woody, Cacti, Succulent

Granite Mtn - Tr 345
Sue Smith

Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Forestiera pubescens - New Mexico olive

Synonyms: Forestiera pubescens, Adelia pubescens

Other Common Names: stretchberry, desert olive, downy forestiera, elbowbush

Plant Form:Shrub

Family: Oleaceae


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Leaves Little Thumb Butte Charlie Johnson	Leaves Bradshaw Mtns - Tr 52 Sue Smith	Flowers Granite Mtn - Tr 345 Sue Smith	Young fruit Willow Lake Sue Smith	Fruit Willow Lake Sue Smith
Plant Description Origin: Native General Description: Deciduous. Erect spreading shrub to small tree. Multi-trunked, maturing into a rounded vase-shape. Younger branches hairy. Identification notes: Large much-branched shrub; gray bark, spiny branches. Leaves opposite, oblong to rounded; finely-toothed margins. Inconspicuous flowers in small clusters, male flowers and female flowers on separate plants. Fruit olive or grape-like, blue-black. Height: 18 feet Width: 12 feet Habitat Habitat Description: Common in moist soils of canyon bottoms, washes and stream banks but also found in drier areas. Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Riparian Elevation: 2000 - 7000 feet Flowers Color: Yellow-green Shape: Inconspicuous in round clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Mar - Jul Description: Clusters of tiny, fragrant blossoms with no petals. Stamens give flowers a yellowish cast. Male and female flowers on separate plants. Leaves Leaf Color: Green to gray-green Type: Simple Shape: Round or oval Margin: Toothed Attachment: Opposite Hairs: N Description: Leaves are opposite and in bundled clusters. Oval to elliptical leaves are to 1-1/2 inches long. Margins are smooth to finely toothed. Leaves appear after flowers. Fruit Color: Bluish-black Type: Other Description: Fruit is bluish-black, olive or grape-shaped; up to 1/4 inch long, containing 1 bony seed. Bark/Branches Bark Color: Gray to brown Bark Texture (Mature): Rough Bark and Branch Description: Trunk is gray to light tan with gray blotching. Twigs are reddish-brown. A very hard wood. Spines, thorns or prickles: N


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetail.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer