More info for the terms:
fruit,
indehiscent,
shrubLittleleaf ratany is a native, long-lived, deciduous, perennial shrub that
grows from 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) tall. It is densely branched,
thorny, and drought resistant. The leaves are alternate and pubescent;
flowers are irregular and purple in color; and the fruit is globose,
indehiscent, thick walled, and spiny [
14,
17,
22,
33].
The root system is shallow, with 40 percent of the root mass in the top
4 inches (10 cm) of the soil, and spreads horizontally and radially
[
36]. The roots form grafts with members of the same or different
species forming protocooperation or a parasitic relationship. These
relationships and the hypothesis that littleleaf ratany obtains atmospheric
moisture through its foliage may explain how it can maintain active
growth after soil moisture has dropped below 3 percent [
35].