Crossosomataceae (Crossosoma Family)

Forsellesia nevadensis(Gray) Greene. Nevada Forsellesia. (Plate 6.72) Formerly placed in Celastraceae, the Staff-tree Family, a small, deciduous, intricately branched shrub, 8–36 in (2–9 dm) high. Branches are slender, ribbed, and yellowish green in color. Leaves are oblong to elliptic, usually less than 1/2 in (13 mm) long. Although the leaves are closely set on young growth, the plant appears relatively leafless much of the time. The small flowers are in the leaf axils and have four or five slender, tongue-shaped petals about 1/4 in (6 mm) long. The shrub might escape notice were it not one of the strong indicators of a certain type of limestone, usually with Littleleaf Mahogany (Cercocarpus intricatus ). Flower: White.

Distribution. Limestone-, probably dolomite-rich soil; Desert Scrub, 4,500–7,000 ft (1,372–2,134 m).