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Menodora scabra - rough menodora

Scientific Family
Oleaceae
Synonyms
Menodora scoparia, M. scabra var. glabrescens, M. scabra var. laevis, M. scabra var. ramosissima, M. scabra var. longituba
Other common names
yellow menodora
broom menodora
twinfruit
twinberry
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 1-1/2 feet
Riparian
No

Many stemmed perennial, stems slender and erect; appears somewhat shrubby. Flowers are yellow and borne in loose terminal clusters at the tips of the stems.

Woody based perennial, stems erect and rough-hairy. Leaves opposite on lower stems, alternate above. Flowers cup-shaped at the base with 7 to 13 narrow lobes at the top; bright yellow in loose clusters on terminal stems. Fruit is a round capsule.

Habitat

Dry mesas and rocky slopes.

Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
7500

Flower Characteristics

Flower sepals are fused at the base into a cup-shape, topped with 7 to 13 spreading lobes. Flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters at tips of stems. Buds are reddish.

Flower color
Bright yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Other

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaves are slender, thick, usually rough, to 1-1/2 inches long and occur along the entire length of the stems. Leaf margins are flat or slightly rolled under. Leaves opposite lower parts of the stems, alternate above, without stems or nearly so.

Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf attachment
Alternate & Opposite
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruits are round and translucent and occur in pairs; each is about 1/4 inch in diameter.

Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Red to green

Mature seeds are green or brown with a yellowish narrow wing.