Prunus eremophila
| Prunus eremophila | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Prunus |
| Species: | P. eremophila |
| Binomial name | |
| Prunus eremophila Prigge | |
Prunus eremophila is a rare species of plum that is known by its common name Mojave desert plum. It is endemic to San Bernardino County, California, where it is known only from the Vontrigger Hills[1] of the eastern Mojave National Preserve, including Lanfair Valley. It occurs in Mojave Desert scrub habitat.[2] The plant was described to science only in 2001[1] or 2002 and little is known about its ecology.[3][4]
This is a bulky[1] shrub with tangled, thorny branches. It reaches over two meters in maximum height.
The deciduous leaves have toothed, pointed, oval blades up to 2 or 3 centimeters long. They are lightly hairy in texture.
It blooms in March to April.[1] The flowers occur singly or in pairs, each bearing small white petals. Either the stamens or pistils abort, leaving female or male flowers.[1]
The fruit is orange-rust[1] or a yellowish, fuzzy drupe up to 1.6 centimeters wide, with a thin, dry pulp.[1]
The plant occurs in a national preserve, so it is protected from some human activity, but it may still be impacted by off-road vehicles, grazing, mining, and climate change.[3]