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Lytle, Melody
Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens
Forestiera pubescens Nutt. var. pubescens
Stretchberry, Elbowbush, Stretch-berry, Downy Forestiera, Desert Olive, Elbow-bush
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Synonym(s): Forestiera acuminata var. parviflora, Forestiera neomexicana, Forestiera neomexicana var. arizonica, Forestiera pubescens ssp. neomexicana, Forestiera pubescens var. neomexicana, Forestiera sphaerocarpa
USDA Symbol: fopup
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Desert Olive is a multi-branched, deciduous shrub, 4-9 ft. tall, with smooth, gray bark; arched branches; spiny branchlets, and light-green leaves. Flowers are inconspicuous but fragrant. Tiny, blue fruits occur in clusters on the female plants. This is a thicket-forming, deciduous shrub.
This drought-tolerant plant is well-suited for use as a spreading background plant or ground cover where grass won't grow. It is widely adaptable – tolerating dry or moist soil, sun or shade.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Shape: Linear
Breeding System: Dioecious
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: 5-10 feet tall.
Leaf: Gray-green, pubescent on both surfaces.
Flower: Sepals in fours or sometimes fives and reduced. Stamens yellow with no petals
Fruit: Black, Blue.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , OK , TX , UTNative Distribution: CO, UT & CA, s. to w. Tex. & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Thickets, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Woodlands' edge, Opening
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Poor, well-drained soils.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Nice gray-green foliage.Use Wildlife: The plant provides valuable browse and fruit for wildlife and the early blooms are an important source of food for bees. Nectar-insects, Nectar-bees, Nectar-butterflies, Browse, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Hairstreaks
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Description: Germinates from untreated seed planted in late March to early April. Roots easily from softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings. Transplanting is easy because of shallow, easily dug roots.Seed Collection: Harvest fruit when it has turned dark purple in late summer. Air dry seeds with or without pulp. Store in ventilated bags or containers in cool, dry place.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary, although one month stratification may improve results.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-204 Collected 2008-05-12 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. JohnstonBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-19Research By: TMH