Lots of that around here, I think. From a local newspaper, 1853 Hay un arbol en nuestras sierras, no muy lejos de aquÃ, que se conoce en la botanica con el nombre arriba espresada. Como su nombre lo indica es de los arboles guindos. Pertenece a la familia de los que estan siempre verdes y crece bien en los lugares secos, elevandose hasta a la altura diez a veinte pies. Produce una nuez y lo que tiene adentro es de un gusta agradable al paladar, y se parece a la almendra. Las hojas no son oscuras, pero son de un color verde vivo y algo opaco, por la parte afuera, mientras la parte interior tiene una tinta blanquisea, y cuando el viento las sacade tienen una vista muy risueña. Nos parece que este arbol se podria propagar con mucha facilidad con solo transplantarlo, o sino sembrando la semilla
I think David has it, although his post does not mention the name, so it is still up for ID. I never would have thought that genus.
I've got one in a pot here, on its way into my garden. The genus name does start with 'P', so that part was right.
The crushed leaves are reported to give off the scent of almonds, and it is one of the larval hosts of the Pale Swallowtail Butterfly. Although reported to be a slow grower, it is doing well as the hedge plant at the Cesar Chavez memorial garden in Tehachapi, CA. Apparently it is a shrub component of a variety of native plant communities: foothill woodland, chaparral, and coastal scrub.
This is kind of fun that the hints are coming from others who (seem to) have figured it out. More guesses?
The first good hint was in Spanish. Just plug it into an on-line translation program like Babel Fish. Then you might do a search for Pale Swallowtail Butterfly host plant. I like the hints instead of the answer for us slow pokes. :) Harry
There they have cowpokes. But we better knock this off now, lest Daniel should Prunus from this thread.
Okay, now I've got it too. Thanks for the hints guys! (It's harder for me when they don't grow here in the midwest.)
Then this Brit just told me not to be so sour. And with that he departed with a grin and a cherry-o. (My apologies to any Englishmen out there. My father used to tell such awful puns and I swore when I grew up I wouldn't do it. My only excuse is that it is a learned behavior and I can't help myself. :) ) Harry
Alright already... Prunus ilicifolia or hollyleaf cherry, taken in the Hummingbird house at the Tucson Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum (hence the mineral stains on the leaves).
Or rather ... incorporating all of the clues ... more precisely … Prunus ilicifolia (Nutt. ex. Hook & Arn) Walp. ssp. ilicifolia. Islay or Hollyleaf Cherry; closely related to Catalina Cherry, Prunus ilicifolia (Nutt.) Walp. ssp. lyonii (Eastw.) Raven.
