New Mexican Olive (Forestiera angustifolia)

   
 

Branch with foliage; foliage and fruit. Photographs by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Desert Olive
• Common Spanish Names: Panalero
• Scientific Name: Forestiera angustifolia Nutt. (for-res-tee-AIR-uh ann-gus-tih-FOL-ee-uh)
• Family: Oleaceae (Olive Family)
• Geographic Range: Trans-Pecos to South Texas, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, Mexico
• Plant Form: Shrub or small tree to 18' tall
• Landscape use: Not commercially available but has potential as a xeric accent/screening shrub. Fruit edible but astringent. Good wildlife food and shelter source.
• Remarks: Dense, evergreen foliage on multiple stiff, intricately branching stems. Inconspicuous spring flowering produces small dark purple fruit.

Last Update: 2 Jun 2008