Gray Thorn, Lotebush, Texas Buckthorn

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

The plants from the western part of its range are the variety 'canescens'

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).