Scientific Family
Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Fendlera rupicola var. falcata
Other common names
Fendler bush
false mockorange
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Philadelphus microphyllus
Slow growing highly branched woody shrub with deep roots and showy bright white fragrant flowers.
Straggly, intricately branched shrub. Shreddy bark is smooth to hairy, reddish to light brown, grays with age. Leaves opposite, narrow to oblong, smooth to hairy, margins may roll under. Flowers white, solitary or clustered at the end of leafy branches.
Height
3 to 6 feet
Width
4 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Commonly found on dry rocky ledges and steep slopes of cliffs and canyons.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
8000
Leaves
Leaf color
Dark Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
Top and bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Upper leaf surface shiny, dark green, and sometimes hairy; leaf underside dull green, sometimes hairy, with 3 prominent sunken veins. Leaves opposite, narrow to elliptic, to 1-3/4 inches long. Margins smooth and sometimes rolled under.
Flowers
Flower color
White, pinkish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
July
Petals white and fragrant, conspicuously taper to a narrow base, fringed, hairy and faintly edged in pink, 8 stamens, 2 inches wide, pinkish buds, single or in small groups at the ends of branches.
Flower clusters
Other
Fruit
Fruit color
Gray-green to brown
Fruit type
Capsule
4-chambered, woody, acorn-like capsule to 1/2 inch long.