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Gray Thorn, Lotebush, Texas Buckthorn
Scientific Name: Ziziphus obtusifolia A.Gray
Synonym: Condalia obtusifolia, Zizyphus lycioides, Condalia lycioides
Family: Rhamnaceae

Show Larger Picture Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens

Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 10-13 USDA: 8-11 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 15° F (-9° C) Sun Exposure: Full sun Origin: Southwestern USA (California to southwester Oklahoma, Texas), northern Mexico Growth Habits: Multi-branched shrub, 3 to 10 feet tall (1-3 m), shiny green leaves, 0.5 to 1.6 inches long (1.2 to 4 cm), smooth to slightly toothed margin Watering Needs: Low water Propagation: Seeds that generally need scarification to breach the impermeable coating

Blooming Habits:
Small inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers with 5 petals, in axillary cymes of 2 to 7 flowers. The fruit is dark blue to black when ripe, in late summer to early fall, up to 0.8 inch long (2 cm), 0.4 inch in diameter (1 cm).