Menodora scabra
Rough menodora, Rough Menodora
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Family: Oleaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Menodora scabra (Rough menodora) is a native California subshrub in the Oleaceae family.
Rough menodora is a California native perennial herb found in rocky or dry habitats at elevations across its range. Flowering from late spring to summer, this plant produces yellow flowers opening in the evening with a distinctive scent, often reddish in bud before fully blooming. Growing with multiple ascending or erect stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall rising from a woody base, it has a broom-like appearance with stems that are slightly angled and rough to the touch. Its leaves vary from linear to ovate, ranging 10 to 45 millimeters long, with lower stem leaves opposite and upper leaves becoming alternate. The fruit is circumscissile, releasing seeds that are generally obovate and three-sided with a deeply netted seed coat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Inyo
How to tell it apart
vs Cercis: Menodora has small narrow leaves; Cercis has large heart-shaped leaves several inches wide.; vs Crocanthemum: Menodora has yellow flowers and two-lobed capsules; Crocanthemum has crinkled petals and round capsules.; vs Pleiacanthus: Menodora is a woody shrub with yellow flowers; Pleiacanthus is herbaceous with white/pinkish flowers.; vs Eulobus: Menodora has two-lobed capsules; Eulobus has four-angled cylindrical capsules.; vs Forestiera: Menodora has alternate leaves; Forestiera has opposite leaves in pairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Menodora scabra native to California?
Yes. Menodora scabra is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Menodora scabra grow?
Menodora scabra occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Inyo.
What plant family does Menodora scabra belong to?
Menodora scabra is in the Oleaceae family, genus Menodora.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.