Menodora scabra var. glabrescens
Broom tvinberry
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Family: Oleaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Menodora scabra var. glabrescens (Broom tvinberry) is a native California perennial in the Oleaceae family.
Broom tvinberry is a California native perennial found in the eastern Peninsular Ranges, eastern Mojave Desert, and western Sonoran Desert in rocky or sandy desert scrub and woodland habitats at elevations of 700 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small white to pale yellow flowers with distinctive five to seven calyx lobes. Growing with straight, erect stems 30 to 50 centimeters tall that are nearly smooth with slightly bristly leaf axils, it branches primarily in the flower cluster. Its leaves are distinctively linear to lance-linear, more than five times longer than wide and generally less than two-thirds the length of stem internodes. The plant appears sparse and delicate, with leaves becoming smaller as they approach the flower cluster.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy soils, desert scrub, woodland
Elevation: (400)700-2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego
Outside California: Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Menodora scabra var. glabrescens blooms May-Jun.
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 var. glabrescens native to California?
Yes. Menodora scabra var. glabrescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Menodora scabra var. glabrescens bloom?
Menodora scabra var. glabrescens blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Menodora scabra var. glabrescens grow?
Menodora scabra var. glabrescens occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, at elevations of (400)700-2400 m.
What plant family does Menodora scabra var. glabrescens belong to?
Menodora scabra var. glabrescens is in the Oleaceae family, genus Menodora.
What habitat does Menodora scabra var. glabrescens grow in?
Menodora scabra var. glabrescens grows in Rocky or sandy soils, desert scrub, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.