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 | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Leucophyllum |
| Species: | L. frutescens
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| Binomial name | |
| Leucophyllum frutescens | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe solitary axillary flowers are bell- or funnel-shaped, with five lobes and two lips. This species is found in rocky, calcareous soils.[3]
Cultivation
editTexas 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
editLeucophyllum frutescens is a host plant for the caterpillars of the theona checkerspot (Chlosyne theona)[5] and calleta silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta).[6]
References
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- ^ "Leucophyllum frutescens". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
- ^ "H.C.R. 71, 2005".
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Theona Checkerspot Chlosyne theona (Ménétriés, 1855)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Calleta silkmoth Eupackardia calleta (Westwood, 1853)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Archived from the original on 2008-05-31. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
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