Pseudoziziphus parryi explained

Pseudoziziphus parryi, synonym Ziziphus parryi, is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by the common names Parry's jujube, California crucillo, Parry Abrojo, and lotebush.[1] [2] [3]

Description

Pseudoziziphus parryi is a bushy shrub with many intricate branches forming a thorny tangle which may approach 4m (13feet) in height.

The leaves are deciduous and are absent for much of the year, leaving the shrub a naked thicket of brown or grayish twigs. The ends of the twigs taper into sharp-tipped thorns. The membranous olive green leaves are up to 2.5 centimeters long.

The inflorescence is a cluster of a few several yellowish or green-tinged, star-shaped flowers with five petals. The fruit is a dry drupe containing one seed.

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to the Colorado Desert and southern Mojave Desert, and to the eastern slopes of the Peninsular Ranges in southern California and Baja California, Mexico.[1] [4]

It can be found in chaparral and Sonoran Desert habitats.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=10465 Calflora: Ziziphus parryi
  2. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Ziziphus+parryi+var.+parryi Calflora: Ziziphus parryi var. parryi
  3. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6586,6674,0,6676 Jepson Manual (TJM93) treatment of Ziziphus parryi var. parryi
  4. http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ZIPA USDA: Ziziphus parryi