Sonoran Desert Olives

Desert Olive

Forestiera pubescens

Twinberry

Menodora scabra

Non-descript shrub of shady canyons and rocky bajadas. Non-showy blooms in very early spring. Widespread in the Sonoran Desert, but rarely common. Spatulate leaves. No thorns. Attractive smooth gray bark. Detailed Description

Medium to small shrub of rocky slopes with butter-yellow flowers. Fruit a pair of capsules with caps that break open at maturity. Common in the Sonoran Desert, but rare if area is heavily grazed by cattle or goats. Detailed Description

Velvet Ash

Fraxinus velutina

Vibrant green tree of riparian habitat in the Sonoran Desert mostly in deep canyons. Compound leaves are opposite on the stems. Seeds are winged samaras. Dark gray, furroughed bark. Detailed Description