Baja California native, known as the torote blanco or copalquín, which grows to tree size in the ground, given the right conditions. It has a thick trunk with peeling gray/white/yellow bark. In habitat it is often dwarfed by harsh conditions (wind, sun, rock, drought), resulting in mother nature's bonsai: stout stems, often growing sideways, not growing tall. Container life generally results in a much smaller plant with a much slower rate of growth, but even container plants may need to be pruned annually for good form.

Like other plants from the region, it will go summer/drought-deciduous and then sprout new leaves in the fall or whenever the rain returns. Rather opportunistic in cultivation. Grow in full sun on the dry side for best form.

Employ judicious pruning to achieve the desired shape and dimensions. This plant makes a less interesting specimen (and can be downright ugly) when grown soft or left unpruned. The best time to prune is during the summer, right after flowering, but before new growth in the fall. Remove all side branches below a certain point to favor growth of a few fat main stems.

Flowers are terminal, very small, cream to pink, and copious during summer, when the plant is leafless or headed that way. They may appear on very young (2-3 year old) seedlings, at the 6" pot size. This plant is dioecious, so separate male and female individuals are needed to make seed. Seedlings reach a good size (several inches) after a year and may fill a 3 gallon pot after 3-4 years. Cuttings may also be used for propagation.

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