Q: Can you help identify a shrub about 4 to 5 feet high, wide with fuzzy leaves, and a white umbrella flower? This photo shows what appears to be the seedpod.
A: It looks like Mexican olive (Cordia boissieri) and confirmed by our friends at the University of Arizona Herbarium. It’s native to southern Texas and can be found in the wild. It isn’t related to actual olives but it produces a similar looking fruit that isn’t palatable to humans but wildlife like them. The flowers are nice though so it makes a suitable landscape shrub/small tree if you have room for something that can grow to 30 feet given the proper accommodations. However, it doesn’t tolerate freezing temperatures.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions and photos may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
