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



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