1. *Desert almond – Prunus fasciculata (PROO-nus fas-sik-yoo-LAH (or LAY)-tuh )
Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Native to: Great Basin and Mojave Desert areas of UT, NV, AZ, CA and Baja CA, Mexico; dry
foothills, dry streambeds, mountain slopes, mesas, alluvial terraces, and canyons in Creosote Bush
Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral between
3000 and 6500 ft. elevation.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 3-9 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft.
Many-branched deciduous shrub with stiff branches and a rounded habit. Leaves small, elongated
and clustered in bundles (hence the name fasciculata). Bark gray. Branchtips may be spiny. This
shrub truly has the appearance of a desert shrub.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring, usually March-April. Flowers small, white to yellow-white in the
axils. Flowers too small to be really showy, but bee pollinators love them. Fruit resembles a small,
fuzzy peach; about 1/3 to 1/2 inch long. The Cahuilla Indians considered the fruit a delicacy and are
it raw, cooked or dried. Like all Prunus, the seed contains cyanins and is toxic.
Uses in the garden: Usually used in desert gardens, often as a background shrub or hedge plant.
Excellent choice for habitat plant. Very drought resistant and hardy. Good for roadsides, slopes and
other difficult areas. Edible fruits and leaves used medicinally and for dye plant.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native water-wise shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, fruits. Bees & butterflies like nectar. larval food
for Burns' buckmoth Hemileuca burnsi.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun; needs at least 6 hours sun per day.
Soil Well-drained soils; any local pH, including alkali
Water Low needs; 1-2 times/month once established (Water Zone 1-2; perhaps 2).
Fertilizer None needed; ½ strength fertilizer occasionally would likely be fine.
Other Inorganic mulch or very thin layer organic mulch.
Management: Prune as needed for health. Very easy-care.
Propagation: from seed: 2-3 mo. cold-moist treatment by cuttings: soft- and semi-soft, summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 6, 10, 16 4/1/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND