The Tree
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Spring |
Flowers on bare stems |
Summer |
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The flowers |
The fruit
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Description
"A fantastic deciduous native plant often seen in washes and arroyos from New Mexico to Southern Colorado and Utah. Grows fast to 6ft.-12ft., usually less. Can be shaped into a single or multi stemmed small tree or used as a large shrub, even a hedge, as it responds well to pruning. Bright green olive like leaves turn bright yellow after the first frost. Light colored branches add contrast during the winter months. Yellow flowers are followed by dark blue berries in clusters. Very drought tolerant, cold hardy and deer resistant." (coloradohardyplants.com)
"Fruit: Egg-shaped, blue-black fruit, 1/4 inch long, not always produced (some plants do not have both male and female flowers). --- Wildlife: Birds eat the fruits." (Tree New Mexico)
Ethnobotanical Uses
Food:
"Apache, Chiricahua & Mescalero Fruit Raw fruits occasionally eaten as food." (Moerman 234)
Medicine:
"Navajo, Ramah Ceremonial Medicine Leaves used as a ceremonial emetic. Disinfectant Plant used for 'bear infection.'" (Moerman 234)
Other Uses:
"Hopi Ceremonial Items Used to make pahos (prayer sticks). Tools Used for digging stick. --- Water Indicator Large shrubs considered water indicators because wells dug where plants grew always produced water. Jemez Ceremonial Items Berry juice mixed with white clay and used as purple body paint for summer dances." (Moerman 234)