New Mexico privet, New Mexico olive
| Botanical Name | Forestiera neomexicana, synonym Forestiera pubescens |
| Common Name | New Mexico privet, New Mexico olive |
| Family | Oleaceae - Olive |
| Description | This is a native, deciduous shrub. There are male and female plants. The grayish-green leaves vary in shape. They appear after the flowers. In the fall they turn a bright yellow. The branches are usually spiny. The wood is very hard. |
| Mature Size | 10’-18’ |
| Bloom | The male flowers have no petals but lots of yellow stamens making it easy to spot in early April. The female plants produce blue-black berries. |
| Interesting Facts | Plants growing in the wild have been used as indicators of underground water. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | Hopi Indians have used this hard wood for digging sticks. Navajos used its wood for making prayer sticks. Birds love the berries. |
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Photos by Janice Tucker for SFBG
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