desert Christmas tree

plant

Also known as: Pholisma arenarium

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "desert Christmas tree" can refer to a few different plants, but it most commonly describes the desert holly (Atriplex hymenelytra). This low-growing saltbush is found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is recognized for its smooth, bluish-green or silvery foliage with prickly edges, making it a popular choice for Christmas decorations in its native areas.1

Another plant sometimes associated with this name is the Australian Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda). This parasitic tree, native to western Australia, can grow over 10 meters tall and produces numerous yellow-orange flowers around the Christmas season.2

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Lennooideae
sonorae) and desert Christmas tree (P. arenarium). The succulent underground stems of sand food were used as food by Native Americans in what is now Arizona.
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sonorae) and desert Christmas tree (P. arenarium). The succulent underground stems of sand food were used as food by Native Americans in what is now Arizona.
Read More