Prunus fasciculata aka Desert Almond

Prunus fasciculata is a shrub in the rose family, Rosaceae. Its common names include desert almond and wild almond. Its native range spans the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. In Mexico, that range includes northern Baja California. Kew places the species in the subtropical biome. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The plant has several stems rather than one main trunk. These form a spreading crown with stiff, thorny growth. Virginia Tech records a height of 8 feet [2.4 metres].

The bark changes in both colour and texture with age. Young bark is smooth and reddish brown. Short, horizontal lenticels mark its surface. Older bark takes on a greyer colour. The twigs are slender, short, and grey, with small buds. Many twigs are stiff and end in sharp points. Short shoots, called spurs, also grow along the branches. Together, the branching stems and thorns define the shrub's form. Its broad crown contrasts with the narrow shape of many leaves.

The simple leaves grow alternately along the stems. Their shapes range from narrow and strap-like to lanceolate. Others are obovate, with the wider part toward the tip. Leaves reach about one inch in length. Their edges are mostly smooth, though some have slight teeth. Fine hairs cover both the upper and lower surfaces. The foliage has a yellow-green colour. These small leaves appear with the flowers in early spring. Leaf shape, hairiness, and the thorny twigs help describe this species.

The flowers are small, at about three-eighths of an inch across. Most grow singly rather than in large clusters. Each has five creamy white petals and a coloured centre. The centres range from yellowish tones to red. The flowers also have a scent. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants; botanists call this dioecious. Fruit ripens in early summer, following the spring bloom. Each fruit is a flattened, round drupe about half an inch across. A fuzzy coat covers the outside, while the pulp is dry. As the fruit ripens, its colour becomes yellow-brown to red-brown. Its dry flesh and hairy surface are useful identifying features.