Scientific Family
Rhamnaceae
Synonyms
Condalia lycoides
Other common names
Southwestern condalia
lote bush
white crucillo
gumdrop tree
graythorn
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
Yes
Plant Description
Origin
Native
A medium to large, branched shrub. Has many, long stout thorns. Small leaves are on stems and thorns.
Densely branched shrub; thorny stems; stems green to gray to brown with fine, lengthwise cracks; leaves in clusters or alternate, elliptic with finely toothed or smooth margins; flowers inconspicuous, in small clusters; fruit fleshy black.
Height
6 feet
Width
8 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Mesas, canyon slopes, desert grasslands and along drainages.
Plant Community
Riparian
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
5000
Leaves
Leaf color
Dark Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
Top and bottom of leaves
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Elliptical with fine hairs to 3/4 inch long by 3/8 inch wide. Margins can be smooth or finely toothed.
Flowers
Flower color
White, light green, yellowish-green
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Very small to 1/8 inch long in a stalked cluster. Sepals yellowish-green, sometimes hairy. Petals small, white to light green.
Flower clusters
Other
Fruit
Fruit color
Blue to purple to black
Fruit type
Berry-like
Oval-shaped, 1/2 inch long by 1/4 inch wide with one hard seed.