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Foliage/fruit

New Mexico Forestiera, Desert Olive, New Mexico Privet, Palo Blanco
Forestiera pubescens var. neomexicana

Oleaceae

New Mexico forestiera is a multi-trunked medium shrub that grows upright and matures into a rounded vase-shape. The sharply branching limbs have a pale gray bark that contrasts nicely with the small, bright green leaves. Clusters of tiny, yellow-green, fragrant blossoms appear in early spring, providing an important early source of nectar for bees. Female plants produce numerous small, fleshy blue-black fruit that ripen in late summer and provide a winter food source for many species of birds and small mammals. New Mexico forestiera grows on canyons and rocky slopes and desert flats in the Trans-Pecos west to Utah and California. It can tolerate drought and all types of soil, even saline, and will grow in sun or partial shade. In severe drought, it will lose its leaves. It can be pruned into a small tree after the main trunks are developed, and provides sculptural qualities as an accent or speciman plant.

Plant Habit or Use: medium shrub
large shrub
small tree

Exposure: sun
partial sun

Flower Color: yellow - green

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: purplish - black berry

Height: to 15 feet

Width: to 10 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Additional Comments:



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