Lotebush: Ziziphus obtusifolia

Lotebush (Ziziphus obstusifolia), a rather uncommon shrub, found in the southern part of NM, can be important to wildlife as food: "The fruit of lotebush is eaten by gray foxes, raccoons, ringtails, and various birds including scaled quail, white-winged doves, band-tailed pigeons, mockingbirds, northern orioles, phainopeplas, white-necked ravens, curved-billed thrashers and golden-fronted woodpeckers... The twigs are browsed by white-tailed deer but are probably not preferred...Cattle browse lotebush, but it is apparently of low preference" (Forest Service Fire Effects Information System). This website has a wealth of information about this species.
Overview of lotebush (<em>Ziziphus obstusifolia</em>).
Botanical Characteristics:

More information and pictures:

leaves on thorns of lotebush
In this photo, you can see the thorns. Note the leaves coming out of the thorns.
Here you can see the berries, which will be black later in the season. This photo was taken April 2, 2006.
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Overview of new leaves and the stem of lotebush, <em>Ziziphus obtusifolia</em>.
Overview of new leaves and the stem of lotebush, Ziziphus obtusifolia. This photo was taken April 2, 2006 at Oliver Lee State Park.

Taxonomy:

References:

Books

Carter, Jack L. 1997. Trees and Shrubs of New Mexico. Boulder, CO: Johnson Books, Distributor
Flowering Plants of New Mexico by Robert Dewitt Ivey, Self-published, (1996)

Web sites


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