Marcus, Joseph A.
Forestiera pubescens Nutt.
Stretchberry, Elbow bush, Spring herald
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Shrub with
opposite, or nearly
opposite, twigs, sometimes on long, arched branches. Common in open woodlands, brushy areas, and near streams. Leaves
opposite, with a short petiole; blades up to 1 1/4 inches long, broadly
ovate to narrower, with a rounded or pointed tip, tapering or rounded at the base, and with fine
toothed margins. Flowers not showy, yellow, without petals, borne in small clusters on bare twigs in February and March, male and female on separate bushes.
Fruit fleshy, dark blue, with a lighter bloom easily rubbed off, 1/4 inch in diameter and slightly longer than wide.
Image Gallery:
22 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Leaf Complexity: Simple Size Notes: 5-10 feet
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , NV , NM , OK , TX , UT
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Drought Tolerance: Medium , High
Conditions Comments: Locally known as elbow-bush, so named because it typically branches at right angles. Early flowering period provides
nectar for early spring butterflies, particularly small butterflies such as hairstreaks. Foliage turns chartreuse yellow in fall.
Benefit
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Hairstreaks
Nectar Source: yes
Last Update: 2011-04-28
