Colubrina texensis
Family: Rhamnaceae
Plant Description: Hairy, deciduous shrub without thorns, to 20 cm or higher with oval to elliptic or oblong leaves 1.5-4 cm long, simple, alternate, margins minutely toothed. Flowers in axillary clusters, the petals about 1.5 mm long, greenish yellow with a well-developed disk. Rounded thicket forming shrub. Fruit dark brown to black and remain on the plant a long time. Look for snakeskin-pattern on bark.
Plant Trivia: Poisonous to sheep.
Field Identification: This recognized by presence or absence of thorns, and by leaf characteristics. This thornless species has alternate leaves, and the veins on the lower leaf surfaces are not prominent. It is more abudant on sandy soils. Short gray, stiff, zigzag branches and spreading twigs.
Occurrence: Frequent on sandy or clayey loams or caliche in brush or open areas.
Bloom Period: March – May
Plant Use: Leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer; fruit eaten by several bird species and javelina.
Key to Genera if needed:
stxflora 