Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Llano Uplift
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Tree
Height
20
to
30
ft.
Spread
20
to
30
ft.
Leaf Retention
Evergreen
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained
Light Requirement
Sun, Part Shade
Water Requirement
Medium, High
Native Habitat
Grassland, Woodland
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Season
Spring
Seasonal Interest
Fruit, Forage, Nectar
Wildlife Benefit
Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Deer
Maintenance
Little maintenance required. Needs moisture but also very good drainage. Protect bark from browsing by deer.
Comments
Multitrunked, understory tree that is very slow growing. However, it is one of the most interesting and beautiful native trees of Texas. Flowers are white, small, urn shaped. Fruit is elongated, in cluster of red or orange spherical berries.. The outer bark peels back revealing a polished, red inner bark.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Arbutus texana, Arbutus xalapensis var. texana
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARXA80. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Arbutus+xalapensis&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=9622&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 279. 6) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=184548#null
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