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Leucophyllum frutescens

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Leucophyllum frutescens

Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms: Leucophyllum frutescens f. albiflorumLeucophyllum frutescens f. albineumLeucophyllum texanumTerania frutescens
Common Name: Barometer Bush, Ash Plant, Cenizo, Texas Ranger, Texas Silver Leaf, Purple Sage

Leucophyllum frutescens is an ornamental compact shrub with silver grey leaves and purple tubular flowers. Flowering is triggered when there is significant high humidity especially after rain, hence the common name, Barometer Bush.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby, Open
Maximum Height 1.2 m to 2.4 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 1.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Rio Grande Valley (Texas, New Mexico), northern Mexico
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Coastal Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Desert / Arid
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Small to medium sized shrub, growing to about 1 - 2.5 m tall and and 0.8 - 1.5 m wide.
Crown Rounded
Foliage Simple, alternate leaves, soft and velvety, bluish grey in colour, measuring up to about 2.5 - 3 cm long, smooth margins.
Stems Squarish, silvery stems
Flowers Flowers are violet to purple, and sometimes pink, measuring about 2.5 cm across, soft and velvety, smooth margins. Blooming usually occurs due to a response to rain and can cover the entire plant.
Fruit Capsule
Habitat Rocky limestone slopes in calcareous soil
Associated Fauna Flowers are visited by bees.
Etymology Genus Leucophyllum means with white leaves. Species frutescens means shrubby or becoming shrubby.
Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: Dried leaves and flowers can be brewed into herbal tea, mildly sedative, good as bedtime drink and treating colds.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping Commonly grown in parks and gardens for its ornamental leaves and flowers, it is also suitable in thematic landscapes such as in xeric and oasis gardens. It is also ideally planted as informal hedge.
Desirable Plant Features Fragrant (Flowers) (Day), Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Stems, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Coastal, Flowerbed / Border, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting, Parks & Gardens
Thematic Landscaping Rockery / Desert Garden, Silver Garden
Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks Native to limestone cliff habitats. Prefers alkaline soils (pH 8.6 - 9.0).

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting, Bee-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Little Water, Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Alkaline high pH Soils, Drought Tolerant
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Pruning Practise tip-pruning of selective stems to maintain shape and prevent legginess with age. Avoid shearing.
Fertilizing Minimal. Sparse flowering and more sprawling leggy form if fertilizer is applied.
Diseases Stem rot, galls, powdery mildew, scale insects, root rot
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting
Propagule Establishment Remarks Stem cuttings easily rooted in sand or water.
Maintenance Requirements Remarks Avoid excessive watering for more compact form and to prevent leaf-drop. Water during establishment, treat like desert plant subsequently.
Planting Distance 0 m to 1 m

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Silver / Grey
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Silver / Grey
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Mucronate
Foliar Base Acute
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Bark Colour(s) Silver
Mature Bark Texture Smooth
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Pink, Purple
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Solitary
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Tubular, Campaulate / Bell-shaped
Flowering Period Before Rain, After Rain
Flowering Opening Time Time-Independent
Flower Lifespan on Plant Several Days
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Image Repository

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Master ID 901
Species ID 2195
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 15 February 2022.
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