Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis
Mojave menodora
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Oleaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis (Mojave menodora) is a native California shrub in the Oleaceae family, recognized by spiny shrub habit and flower morphology.
Mojave menodora is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in northern Sonoran Borderlands and Mojave Desert on rocky desert hillsides and canyons at elevations of 690 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces yellow flowers with a corolla tube 8 to 10 millimeters long and distinctive yellow anthers. Growing with spiny branches 30 to 100 centimeters tall, it develops a compact, dense form with multiple woody stems. Its leaves are small, narrow, and arranged along the branches, contributing to the shrub's intricate, somewhat rigid structure. When in bloom, the plant displays delicate yellow flowers with well-exserted stigmas, creating a subtle but distinctive appearance in its harsh desert environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by spiny shrub habit and flower morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky desert hillsides, canyons
Elevation: 690-2000(2300) m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside
Bloom period
Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 spinescens var. mohavensis native to California?
Yes. Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis bloom?
Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis grow?
Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, at elevations of 690-2000(2300) m.
What plant family does Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis belong to?
Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis is in the Oleaceae family, genus Menodora.
Is Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis rare or endangered?
Menodora spinescens var. mohavensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Menodora spinescens var. spinescens — Spiny desert olive
- Menodora scabra — Rough menodora
- Menodora scabra var. glabrescens — Broom tvinberry
- Menodora scabra var. scabra — Rough desert olive
- Menodora sp.
- Menodora spinescens — Spiny desert olive
- Olea europaea — Olive
- Olea sp. — Olive
- Oleaceae sp. — Olive family
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.