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Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Shrubs Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)

General: Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens) is a low growing, spreading, many-branched, shrub with each twig ending in a stout spine. More than any other, this species represents the ultimate spiny desert shrub.

Spiny Menodora is sometimes a common component of vegetation communities on dry bajadas and lower mountain slopes in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) life zone.

Family: Olive (Oleaceae).

Other Names: Menodora.

Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)

Plant Form: Low, spreading, spiny shrub with many short branches.

Height: Usually knee-high (to about 3 feet).

Bark: Gray or green.

Stems: Many branched with short, stout branchlets ending at a spine.

Leaves: Small, present during flowering. Usually none.

Flowers: Blooms in the spring.

Seeds:

Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Leaves small, present only during flowering

Habitat: Dry, well-drained sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils on upper bajadas and moderate slopes in the lower mountains.

Elevation: 3,500 to 6,500 feet

Distribution: Southern Nevada and northwest Arizona.

Comments:

Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens) Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens) Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens) Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens) Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Stout, spine-tipped twigs branching at all angles
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Stout, spine-tipped twigs branching at all angles
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Leaves present during blooming
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Leaves present during blooming
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens) Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Flower buds and flowers
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Flowers
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Flowers
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Flowers
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Flowers
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Developing fruits
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Developing fruits
Spiny Menodora (Menodora spinescens)
Developing fruits

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
copyright; Last updated 240628

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