Menodora scabra var. scabra
Rough desert olive
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Family: Oleaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Menodora scabra var. scabra (Rough desert olive) is a native California perennial in the Oleaceae family, recognized by herbaceous vs shrubby spiny habit.
Rough desert olive is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in eastern Desert Mountains including Clark, Eagle, and New York Mountains in rocky or sandy desert scrub and woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale flowers in small clusters with distinctive calyx lobes. Growing with ascending to erect stems 10 to 28 centimeters tall that are somewhat rough and branching throughout, it has a compact, intricate growth habit. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate, more than twice as long as wide, generally uniform in size and slightly rough in texture. The plant's delicate structure and ability to thrive in harsh desert environments make it a resilient and intriguing species of the arid southwestern landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by herbaceous vs shrubby spiny habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy soils, desert scrub, woodland
Elevation: 1000-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to New Mexico, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Menodora scabra var. scabra blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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. scabra native to California?
Yes. Menodora scabra var. scabra is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Menodora scabra var. scabra bloom?
Menodora scabra var. scabra blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Menodora scabra var. scabra grow?
Menodora scabra var. scabra occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 1000-1800 m.
What plant family does Menodora scabra var. scabra belong to?
Menodora scabra var. scabra is in the Oleaceae family, genus Menodora.
Is Menodora scabra var. scabra rare or endangered?
Menodora scabra var. scabra carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.