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Native Plant Society of Texas

Elbowbush

Forestiera pubescens

Stretchberry, Spring Herald, Desert Olive, Tanglewood, Devil's Elbow, Spring Goldenglow, New Mexico Privet, Texas Forsythia

Max Licher, https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Forestiera+pubescens&formsubmit=Search+Terms
Max Licher, https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Forestiera+pubescens&formsubmit=Search+Terms
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
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Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Grassland, Woodland
Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Southwestern Tablelands

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Thicket-forming, well suited as spreading background plant. Very adaptable – tolerating dry or moist soil, sun or shade.

Comments

Flowers not showy, yellow, without petals, in small clusters on bare twigs in early spring. Male and female flowers are on separate bushes. Fruit, on the female bush, are fleshy and dark blue. Fall foliage is chartreuse yellow. Larval Host: Hairstreaks.

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

4 to
10 ft

Spread

4 to
10 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

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References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=FOPU2. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Forestiera+pubescens&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=15487&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32957#null, 6) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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