Scientific Family
Crossosomataceae
Synonyms
Forsellesia nevadensis, Forsellesia meionandra
Other common names
Nevada greasebush
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Shrub or subshrub which forms a dense, erect clump of many thin, branching, thorny stems approaching 6-1/2 feet in maximum height. The wood is said to contain a small amount of oil.
A low growing shrub with many densely overlapping spine-tipped branches; leaves and young twigs appear slightly waxy and grayish-green; flower petals white, deciduous; red (sometimes white) persistent glandular flower stem bases.
Height
6-1/2 feet
Width
3 to 4 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found on limestone in canyons, on hillsides and cliffs in desert scrub, grasslands, chaparral and juniper woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
6500
Leaves
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Leaves simple, small and narrower at their base, typically appearing when the plant begins flowering.
Flowers
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Solitary in leaf axils, on short stems; sepals 5, white, short, with papery margins; petals 5, white, narrow and oblong.
Flower clusters
None
Fruit
Fruit color
Brown
Fruit type
Capsule
Small oval seed capsules contain tiny seeds. Called follicles, seed pods split open along 1 suture line.