Arizona Rosewood (Vauquelinia californica)

DESCRIPTION: Shrub or small tree to 25'. Bark is grayish to reddish brown and shaggy or divided into square pieces. Flowers are white, with 5 petals to 1/4" wide. Flowers occur in clusters at the end of branches. Leaves are simple, spiny-toothed, lance-shaped with sunken midvein to 4" long and 1/2" wide. Rosaceae (Rose) Family.
NATURAL HISTORY: Flowers bloom May to June. Occurs in upper desert scrub (this picture taken near top of Wasson Peak in Tucson Mountains) and oak woodlands.