Prunus fasciculata
Desert almond
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Prunus fasciculata (Desert almond) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by Thorny desert shrub; tiny linear entire leaves (5--20 x 1--2 mm), 1--2 flowers, dry fruit.
Desert almond is a California native shrub found in desert and desert transition regions in rocky or gravelly areas. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white to pale yellow flowers less than 4 millimeters long in compact clusters. Growing as a much-branched thorny shrub under 3 meters tall with dense, intricate branching, it develops narrow linear leaves 5 to 20 millimeters long with long-tapered bases and acute tips. Its leaves are distinctively thin and elongated, generally entire, and arranged sparsely along the branches. The fruit is a small, densely fuzzy drupe 7 to 15 millimeters long, ranging in color from gray to red-brown with a dry, thin pulp.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Thorny desert shrub; tiny linear entire leaves (5--20 x 1--2 mm), 1--2 flowers, dry fruit
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Lassen
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Prunus has simple leaves with fine teeth; oak leaves are lobed or have coarse rounded teeth.; vs Rhamnus: Prunus has fleshy fruits with single hard pits; buckthorn has berry-like fruits with multiple seeds.; vs Malus: Prunus fruits have a single hard pit; apple fruits have a papery core with multiple seeds.; vs Frangula: Prunus has cup-shaped flower base that falls off; alder buckthorn has persistent berry-like fruit base.; vs Pyrus: Prunus produces single-pitted drupes; pear produces pome fruits with papery seed chambers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prunus fasciculata native to California?
Yes. Prunus fasciculata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Prunus fasciculata grow?
Prunus fasciculata occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, Kern, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Prunus fasciculata belong to?
Prunus fasciculata is in the Rosaceae family, genus Prunus.
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.