Elbowbush flowering

Click for greater clarity.

One of the earliest native species to flower in Austin is Forestiera pubescens, known as elbowbush and spring herald. I photographed these blossoms in Great Hills Park on February 27th.

To see the places in the southwestern United States where this member of the olive family grows, you can check the USDA’s state-clickable map.

© 2014 Steven Schwartzman