Netleaf Swampprivet

Description

Netleaf forestiera grows on dry hillsides and limestone canyons from the Edwards Plateau west into the Trans-Pecos, and south into Mexico. It is not a common shrub in Texas, and there is little botanical information available. Like all forestieras, it has male and female flowers on separate plants. They appear in early spring, usually before the leaves, and female plants produce dark blue-black berries that are an important wildlife food source. It is a compact, many-stemmed shrub that grows to 12 feet and will adapt to poor soils in full sun. The shiny, dark green leaves are distinguished by raised, prominent veins, to which the species name "reticulata" refers.