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Guayacan

Guaiacum angustifolium

Other common name(s):

Texas Lignum-vitae, Soapbush

Family:

Zygophyllaceae (Creosote Bush Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

8
to
10
ft.

Spread

15
to
20
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance; drought, heat and cold tolerant. Grows faster with extra water. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms March-September. Showy, aromatic, long-living. Develops one or more trunks that are smooth when mature. Pale blue to lilac flowers appear after a rain. The leaves are small and leathery; pinnately compound and dark green. The roots can be used as a soap for woolen products as it doesn’t fade colors. Guayacan is an important nectar plant for honeybees. Pollination by bees, butterflies and nectar insects. Nesting, fruit for birds & mammals. Larval Host: Gray hairstreak, Lyside hairstreak.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Porlieria angustifolia

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 290. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GUAN. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=24172&locationType=County&mapType=Normal., 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=38521#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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