Table of Contents for Mojave Desert Plum (Prunus eremophila)
Mojave Desert Plum (Prunus eremophila) is a shrub that is native to California. This plant is a host to the pale swallowtail and many moths, and is an important nectar source for other insects. Growing up to 6.5 feet tall, this species grows in desert scrub and washes. The cream, yellow to orange flowers bloom from March to April and the plant is hardy in zone 9.
Taxonomy and Naming of Mojave Desert Plum (Prunus eremophila)
Taxonomy
Mojave Desert Plum (Prunus eremophila) was first named and described by Barry Prigge, an American botanist, in 2002. It still has the same name and is a member of the Rose Family (Rosaceae).
Meaning of the Scientific and Common Names
Scientific Name
The genus name, Prunus, is Latin for “plum tree.” The species name, eremophila, comes from the Greek words “eremos”- desert and “philos”-loving.
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name comes from the native location of the species. Another common name is Mojave Desert Plum.
Physical Description
- Plant Type: This plant is a shrub.
- Height: up to 6.5 feet tall
- Stem: Many branched shrub with grayish pubescent branches (Prigge 2002).
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, short-petiolate, ovate to obovate (Jepson Manual) in shape, have serrate margins, and are 0.2 to 1.2 inches in length and 0.1 to 0.7 inches in width. The petioles are hairy (Flora of North America).
- Flower color: Cream, yellow to orange (Calscape.org)
- Blooming period: This plant blooms from March to April.
- Fruiting type and period: This plant has yellowish-orange drupes (FNA) that mature from May to June.
Range of Mojave Desert Plum in the United States and Canada
This species is native to the state of California in the United States.
Habitat
This species grows in desert scrub, rocky slopes (Prigge 2002), and desert washes (Prigge 2002).
Hosted Insects
The Prunus genus is general is a host to four butterflies including the henry’s elfin (Callophrys henrici), Coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus), the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and the Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) (Gaden, et al 2023). Mojave desert plum, because of its location, would only host the pale swallowtail. Additionally it may also host the white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata) (calscape.org).
Other Supported Wildlife
This species is an important nectar source to other butterflies, skippers, bees, and wasps. Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits in the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this plant have any ethnobotanical uses?
The Native American Ethobotanical Database does not list this species specifically, but other cherries have been used as foods and pharmaceuticals.
How is this plant distinguished from other Cherries (Prunus spp.)?
This species is closest to the desert almond (Prunus fasciculata) in look and range. However, the desert almond has pubescent spathulate leaves versus the ovate and slightly pubescent leaves of mojave desert plum (Prigge 2002).
Is this plant invasive?
This plant has not been noted as being invasive in the literature and has a very limited native range.
Gardening with Mojave Desert Plum
Hardiness
This species is hardy in zone 9. If your garden is within these zones and you have the right growing conditions (soil, moisture and exposure), you may well be able to grow this plant. However, if planted outside of its range, the hosted species may not recognize the plant or be harmed by ingesting a different species with an unfamiliar chemical composition.
Optimal Conditions
This species grows in full sun and prefers dry well-drained soil.
Additional Notes about this Species
This species is rare and is not known to be in the horticultural trade. This species has recently determined in 2002.
References
- Prigge, Barry A. 2002. A New Species of Prunus (Rosaceae) from the Mojave Desert of California. Madrono 49(4): 285-288.
