Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Forestiera pubescens Nuttall
(New Mexico Olive, New Mexico Desert Olive, Prairie Adelia)
Family: Oleaceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
Adelia neomexicana (Gray) Kuntze
Forestiera neomexicana Gray
Forestiera pubescens Nuttall var. glabrifolia Shinners
Forestiera pubescens is a large shrub to small tree. The leaves are simple and opposite or fascicled. The flowers are small and inconspicuous. The fruit is a small one seeded drupe which persists through the summer on the stems. The young branches are pubescent, but the leaves are mostly glabrous. Forestiera pubescens is found at middle elevations
in moist canyons.
Please click on an image for a larger file.

Forestiera pubescens, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, July 8, 2007

Forestiera pubescens, in flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Scott Zager, Leith Young, Bonnie Arfsten, & Maggie Knox, Gila River at Alum Camp, March 29, 2009

Forestiera pubescens, closeup of fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, July 1, 2009

Forestiera pubescens, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 28, 2009

Forestiera pubescens, closeup of bud on winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Road, December 28, 2009
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