Pseudoziziphus parryi, synonym Ziziphus parryi, is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by the common names Parry's jujube, California crucillo, Parry Abrojo, and lotebush.[2][3][4]

Pseudoziziphus parryi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Pseudoziziphus
Species:
P. parryi
Binomial name
Pseudoziziphus parryi
(Torr.) Hauenschild (2016)
Synonyms[1]
  • Condalia parryi (Torr.) Weberb. (1895)
  • Condalia parryi var. microphylla I.M.Johnst. (1922)
  • Condaliopsis parryi (Torr.) Suess. (1953)
  • Pseudoziziphus parryi var. microphylla (I.M.Johnst.) Hauenschild (2016)
  • Ziziphus parryi Torr. (1859)
  • Ziziphus parryi var. microphylla (I.M.Johnst.) M.C.Johnst. (1962)

Description

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Pseudoziziphus parryi is a bushy shrub with many intricate branches forming a thorny tangle which may approach 4 metres (13 ft) in height.

The leaves are deciduous and are absent for much of the year, leaving the shrub a naked thicket of brown or grayish twigs. The ends of the twigs taper into sharp-tipped thorns. The membranous olive green leaves are up to 2.5 centimeters long.

The inflorescence is a cluster of a few several yellowish or green-tinged, star-shaped flowers with five petals. The fruit is a dry drupe containing one seed.

Distribution and habitat

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The plant is native to the Colorado Desert and southern Mojave Desert, and to the eastern slopes of the Peninsular Ranges in southern California and Baja California, Mexico.[2][5]

It can be found in chaparral and Sonoran Desert habitats.[2]

References

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