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Foliage/fruit

Habitat/fruit

Foliage/fruit

Celastraceae

Desert yaupon makes its home on rocky hillsides and canyons in the Rio Grande Plains, southern Trans-Pecos and Northern Mexico. Like yaupon holly, which it somewhat resembles but to which it is not related, desert yaupon is dioecious, that is, the male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The inconspicuous flowers usually occur after a rainfall, February through July. This densely-branched, somewhat spiny, slow growing evergreen beauty has small teardrop-shaped, cuneate (notched) leaves which contrast vividly with its shiny bright red or orange berries. Ornamentally, it would make a desirable and drought tolerant low growing hedge or specimen plant. Occasional light pruning will encourage compact growth. In its native range its fruits are eaten by bears, small mammals, quails and cactus wrens. Its leaves are browsed by white tail deer.

Plant Habit or Use: small shrub

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: green

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: red drupe

Height: 4 feet

Width: 2 to 3 feet

Plant Character: evergreen

Heat Tolerance: very high
high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: neutral
alkaline

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8

Additional Comments: