Leucophyllum frutescens

Leucophyllum frutescens is an evergreen shrub in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, native to the U.S. state of Texas, where it is the official "State Native Shrub of Texas",[2] and to the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas in northern Mexico. Although commonly known as Texas sage, it is not a true sage and is distinct from the genus Salvia. The species is also called Texas Ranger, Texas rain sage, cenizo, Texas silverleaf, Texas barometerbush, ash-bush, wild lilac, purple sage, senisa, cenicilla, palo cenizo, or hierba del cenizo.

Leucophyllum frutescens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Leucophyllum
Species:
L. frutescens
Binomial name
Leucophyllum frutescens
Synonyms
  • Terania frutescens Berland.[1]

Description

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The solitary axillary flowers are bell- or funnel-shaped, with five lobes and two lips. This species is found in rocky, calcareous soils.[3]

Cultivation

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Texas sage is a popular ornamental plant, commonly used for edge and area plantings in warmer and drier areas; it requires minimal water, is easily shaped into hedges, and blooms over the entire surface. It is available in a variety of cultivars, including 'Green Cloud', 'White Cloud', 'Compacta', 'Convent', and 'Bert-Star'.[4]

Ecology

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Leucophyllum frutescens is a host plant for the caterpillars of the theona checkerspot (Chlosyne theona)[5] and calleta silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta).[6]

 
Ornamental Texas sage in bloom
 
Texas sage

References

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  1. ^ "Leucophyllum frutescens". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  2. ^ "H.C.R. 71, 2005".
  3. ^ "Texas Sage, Texas Ranger, Texas Rain Sage, Cenizo, Texas Silverleaf, Ash-bush, Wild Lilac, Purple Sage, Senisa, Cenicilla, Palo Cenizo, Hierba del Cenizo Leucophyllum frutescens". Benny Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs. Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  4. ^ Irish, Mary (2008). Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest: Woody Plants for Arid Gardens. Timber Press. pp. 221–223. ISBN 978-0-88192-905-8.
  5. ^ "Theona Checkerspot Chlosyne theona (Ménétriés, 1855)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  6. ^ "Calleta silkmoth Eupackardia calleta (Westwood, 1853)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Archived from the original on 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2010-08-22.