RANCHING Natural Resources
Lotebush Condalia (Condalia obtusifolia)
Lotebush (Condalia obtusifolia) is a perennial native shrub that is in the Buckthorn family. It is found on rangelands in Central, South and West Texas, and throughout the Southwest U.S.
- Is a many branched, grayish-green plant that has thorn-tipped branches and many thorns along the branches.
- Can reach a height of more than 6 feet and can form dense thickets.
- Has grayish-green leaves that vary in shape from oval to oblong, 1/2 to more than an inch in length and can have a tooth-like appearance on the edges.
- Does produce flowers, but they are not easily noticed.
- Produces a black, mealy, hard fruit that is pea-like in size and is eaten by many wildlife species.
Lotebush is not utilized by livestock but is grazed occasionally by wildlife. It is probably best known for providing good cover for bobwhite quail and as a haven for desirable grass seedlings to escape grazing pressure on overgrazed ranges.
The root of the plant has been used as a substitute for soap and for treating wounds and sores on domestic animals.
Lotebush Condalia is also known as Ziziphus obtusifolia and it has many common names as well, including gumdrop-tree, gray-thorn, clepe and chaparral, among others. The name Condalia is in honor of the Spanish physician Antonio Condal, who accompanied the botanist, Loefling, on a journey up the Orinoco River in the 18th century.
Editor’s note: Kent Ferguson, retired rangeland management specialist from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is providing us with plant identification photo stories to help ranchers identify those forbs, forages and species growing in the pastures. Additional photos provided by USDA NRCS.
Lotebush Condalia is excerpted from the July 2018 issue of The Cattleman magazine.