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Cenizo

Leucophyllum frutescens

Other common name(s):

Texas Sage

Family:

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

5
to
8
ft.

Spread

4
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Calcareous, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Little maintenance required. A grouping makes a good screen. Does not respond well to shearing. Winter: Prune older shrubs if more fullness is desired. Susceptible to cotton root rot if kept too moist. Provide well drained soil. Do not fertilize and do not overwater. Propagation: Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms January-December, depending on the region. Gray shrub, color from leaves with densely covered silvery hairs that are soft to the touch. Leaves contrast with pink to lavender flowers which are nearly bell shaped and up to 1″. Blooms off and on through the growing season after rain. Typically a compact shrub, 2-5′ tall, but occasionally reaches 8′ in height and 4-6′ in width. Larval Host: Theona Checkerspot and Calleta Silkmoth. Nectar source for butterflies. Replaces Invasives: Japanese Ligustrum
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Terania frutescens

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 249. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LEFR3. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Leucophyllum+frutescens&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=23072&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=33629#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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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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