desert-olive Oleaceae Forestiera pubescens Nutt.   symbol: FOPU2
	Leaf: Opposite, simple, obovate to elliptical, 1 to 2 inches long, entire to serrated, green above and slightly paler below. Flower: Dioecious; very small, lacking petals, light yellow-green, appearing in axillary clusters before the leaves. Fruit: Elliptical, dark blue, glaucous drupe 1/4 inch long, occuring in a tight cluster close to the stem, ripen in early summer. Twig: Slender, light gray-brown to geenish brown, numerous lighter lenticels, stiff with short opposite side branches; buds small, light reddish brown and pointed. Bark: Smooth, light brown to gray. Form: A dense, thicket forming shrub with often drooping branches, reaches up to 15 feet with numerous stiff "thorny" side branches.
	No range map exists for this species. See a map of the states in which Forestiera pubescens can be found (opens a new window). USDA Plants Database Forestiera pubescens is native to North America.