Leucophyllum

Taxobox
name = "Leucophyllum"

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Leucophyllum frutescens" 'Green Cloud'
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Scrophulariaceaecite journal | author = Olmstead, R. G., dePamphilis, C. W., Wolfe, A. D., Young, N. D., Elisons, W. J. & Reeves P. A. | title = Disintegration of the Scrophulariaceae | journal= American Journal of Botany| volume= 88| pages = 348–361| year=2001 | url = http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/88/2/348 | doi = 10.2307/2657024 | pmid = 11222255 ]
genus = "Leucophyllum"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = About 12 species, including: "Leucophyllum frutescens" (Texas sage, Texas ranger, silverleaf)
"Leucophyllum laevigatum" (Chihuahuan sage)

"Leucophyllum" is a genus of evergreen shrubs in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The dozen-odd species are often called "sages", although they have no relationship to the genus "Salvia".

The solitary axillary flowers are bell- or funnel-shaped, with five lobes and two lips, and colors ranging from white to magenta to purple.

These shrubs are found in sandy soils and have a high salt tolerance. They have become popular for edge and area plantings in warmer and drier areas; they require minimal water, are easily shaped into hedges, and bloom over their entire surface. Texas sage "Leucophyllum frutescens" is available in a variety of cultivars.

"Leucophyllum" shrubs are legendary for their ability to "forecast" rain, usually blooming several days prior to a rainstorm, apparently in response to humidity. They are sometimes called "barometer bush" for this reason. It is believed to be a survival trait in the plants' semi-desert habitats.

References

External links

* [http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/leucophyllumfrutes.htm Page on "L. frutescens" from Texas Native Plants Database]