One of the basic shrubs for desert and hot interior valleys. Ordinarily broad and bulky but easily trained into handsome single or many trunked tree resembling an olive tree. Narrow 4 to 12 in.-long leaves are dark green, leathery, and glossy, attractive all seasons. Form with golden variegations in leaves is sometimes available. Flowers 2 to 3-in.
Blossoms are red, pink, salmon, yellow and white.
Seed pods may follow. Caution children against eating leaves or flowers, keep prunings and dead leaves away from hay or other animal feed. Don't use wood for barbecue fires or skewers. Smoke can cause severe irritation. All parts are poisonous.