Description and Identification
Forestiera Pubescens is a dioeciously flowering perennial. Its common names often include the word “spring” due to the fact that it is a very early bloomer (late winter-early spring). Its yellow-green flowers open before any leaves emerge; termed precocious flowering. The early flowering period provides nectar for early spring butterflies such as hairstreaks. The expression “elbow bush” is resultant of the short spine-like stems. They are distinctly opposite each other and appear to arise at nearly 90-degree angles from their parent branch. The opposite leaves are entire to serrulate-margined, elliptic-lanceolate, 3/8" to 2" long and frequently fascicled. The branches bark is light gray and smooth. This “Desert Olive” deciduous shrub reaches 15’ in height and width.
Only the female plants produce the fleshy blue-black ellipsoid fruits which grow to about ¼” in length. The fruits grow in bunches abundantly and are an important food source for small mammals and birds. Maturity occurs mid-summer. Foliage turns chartreuse yellow in fall.
Region and Habitat
Forestiera Pubescens is found in the Southwestern U.S. including AZ, CA, CO, NV, NM, OK, TX, and UT. The map to the left shows its southeastern Utah distribution, observably following the Colorado, Green and San Juan rivers. It is found in semi-desert regions especially forming thickets in washes, woodlands and near springs, frequently mixing with Oaks. Occasionally it will be found growing on dry slopes, canyons and ridges up to about 6000 feet in elevation. Forestiera Pubescens in a very tolerant plant, surviving in drought lands from shade to full sun distribution. Soil may be dry or moist and its water use is low to medium.
Geneology
| Kingdom Subkingdom Superdivision Division Class Subclass Order Family Genus Species |
Plantae - Plants Tracheobionta - Vascular Plants Spermatophyta - Seed plants Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants Mangoliopsida - Dicotyledons Asteridae Scrophulariales Oleaceae - Olive family Forestiera Poir. - swamp privet Forestiera pubescens Nutt. - stretchberry |