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Plant - winter Doug McMillan | Stems leaves absent Near Kirkland Junction
Sue Smith | Young fruit Near West Clear Creek
Sue Smith | Mature fruit Near Kirkland Junction
Sue Smith | | |
Origin: Native
General Description: Deciduous. Shrub or small tree. Grayish-green branches are smooth, straight, slender, rigid, ascending and spine-tipped up to 8 inches long and about 1/4 inch in diameter. Branches are able to conduct photosynthesis.
Identification notes: Spine-tipped stems. Leaves reduced to small scales. Stems pale green. Flowers inconspicuous in axillary elongated flower clusters; sepals, petals and stamens 5. Fruit a somewhat woody elliptical capsule.
Height: 6 to 16 feet Width: Varies
Habitat Description: Desert slopes, washes and mesas, desert grasslands, pinyon-juniper and chaparral.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland
Elevation: 2000 - 4500 feet
Color: Greenish-white to reddish-brown Shape: Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular: N Flowering Period: May - Aug
Description: Male and female flowers on separate plants. Greenish-white to reddish-brown, 5-petaled flowers are less than 1/2 inch wide, in small clusters along branches.
Leaf Color: Greenish Type: Other Shape: Other Margin: Other Attachment: Alternate Hairs: N
Description: Greenish leaves are very small and insignificant, scale-like, short-lived and reduced to deciduous scales.
Color: Reddish-brown Type: Capsule Description: Clusters of woody capsules with 5 valves, each about 1/2 inch long. Seeds may persist for several years.
Bark Color: Gray, grayish-green Bark Texture (Mature): Rough Bark and Branch Description: Smooth yellowish-green with fine hairs when young, gray streaked and rough with age. Single trunk may branch and can grow to be 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Branches very flexible when young. Twigs and branches take the place of leaves in photosynthesis.
Spines, thorns or prickles: Y |
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