Desert Almond is a densely-branched, fast-growing, deciduous shrub that makes a good screen or background plant. Its small, linear leaves are arranged in bundles on the stems, which can be lightly thorned at their tips. Even though it drops its tiny leaves in winter, this shrub’s dense branching still creates a useful privacy hedge or screen all year. Small white flowers in spring produce round almonds in summer, miniature replicas of commercial almonds which are tasty for humans and wildlife alike. The burst of cherry-almond flavor from a seed smaller than a pea is quite surprising. Like all plants in this genus, the seed contains a small amount of cyanide, so avoid eating large quantities unless they are cooked or leached first. Desert Almond can be pruned into any shape from a hedge to a multi-branched small “tree”. This plant attracts songbirds and pollinators, and needs no water or care after it’s established. Useful as a foundation plant, wind break, privacy screen, for bank stabilization, or to naturalize a native garden.