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Tree & Shrub Gallery

Buckthorn Family

                 

Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn family
Lotebush (Bluethorn, Graythorn) Ziziphus obtusifolia (Condalia obtusifolia)
Bush grows to 10 feet tall. Bark is whitish/gray with old wood browner. Tapered stems grow 90 degrees off the main stem are tipped with a red thorn. These tiny yellow flowers are about 3/16" wide. Reddish buds are about 1/8" wide. Blue/black berries are 1/4"-3/8" wide and grow on old wood and are edible but does not taste good. They are eaten by fox, raccoon, and birds. The roots can be made into a soap.
Bush & leaf photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May & August 2004
Bare limbs photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, November 2004
Flower photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2006, April 2007
Fruit photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2004, April 2007
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Shackelford, Callahan, Coleman, Brown, Coke)

Similar Species

Texas Hog-plum (Snakewood) Colubrina texensis
Thicket forming bush to 6 feet tall. Small leaves. Zigzag twig growth. Tiny green-yellow flowers. Fruit has a dark skin that breaks as it grows to show the pale inner skin. Gray bark has brown marks that resemble snake patterns. This plant does not have thorns.
(Native of Texas, central & south - Brown, Coke)

                    

Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn family
probably Edwards Bluewood Condalia hookeri var. edwardsiana
Twigs end in a very sharp thorn. This bush can become an impenetrable thicket about 10 feet tall. Small leathery leaves are a long teardrop (spatulate), 1/4"-11/2" long. Tiny flowers do not have petals. They are good bee food. Fruit is red, turning black, droop, 1/4" wide. (no photo) It makes good jelly and is loved by birds. Light red hardwood yields a blue die and is also used as a hot firewood.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, August 2004, November 2005
Flower and leaf close-up photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, July 2007
(Native of Texas)

Similar Species

Bluewood (Brazilian) Condalia hookeri var. hookeri (Condalia obovata)
Leaves are rounder. Plant grows to 30 feet tall. Tiny leaves are a teardrop (spatulate) with a prickle at the main rib end.
(Native of Texas, south - Brown)

Other Species in My Area

Carolina Buckthorn Frangula caroliniana
Bush that can reach 20 feet tall, no thorns. Leathery leaves are a long teardrop (spatulate) with a point, prominent veins, up to 5" long with a 1/2" long petiole. Tiny flowers yellow, at leaf node. Berries are red turning black, 1/4" wide.
(Native of Texas - Callahan, Coleman, Brown)

Redroot (Jersey Tea) Ceanothus herbaceus
Short bush, 2-3 feet tall. Thick root. Leaves are 2 1/2" long, with prominent yellow veins on bottom, fine teeth. Showy ball of tiny white flowers. Round fruit is brown with 3 lobes, with a saucer-like support. The roots fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
(Native of Texas, central - Taylor, Brown)