This densely-branched, low-growing shrub of the eastern plains and Chihuahuan scrublands reaches 4 feet tall and wide with thorn-tipped branches and small, linear leaves clustered on short spurs. Note the clusters of flowers with small, bright yellow petals, and the red, football-shaped fruit.

FLOWERS: March–April. Clusters on short shoots with 1–8 flowers with 5 yellow petals, 5 stamens; fruit a fleshy drupe, football-shaped, 1/4–1/2 inch long (7–12 mm), maturing bright-red to purple-black.

LEAVES: Alternate or clusters of 2–8 on short spurs; blades linear, 1/16–1/2 inch long (2–13 mm); edges entire, rolled under (revolute); surfaces hairless, tip pointed.

HABITAT: Coarse soils, hills, slopes, ridges, flats; eastern plains and foothills, desert grasslands and scrub.

ELEVATION: 3,000–6,000 feet (914–1828 m).

RANGE: AZ, NM, TX, Mexico.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Warnock Condalia, C. warnockii, in the southern 1/4 of NM, has hairy leaves, and round, red to black fruit.

NM COUNTIES: Desert areas of southeast 1/2 of NM in low-elevation, arid habitats: Chaves, Curry, Done Ana, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Otero.