Leucophyllum fructescens (Texas Ranger)

  • TropPlant Accession Number (TPAN): 0021
  • Botanical Name: Leucophyllum fructescens
  • Common Name: Texas Ranger, Texas Sage, Barometer Bush
  • Cultivar: 'White Cloud'
  • Family: Scrophulariaceae
  • Native To: South Texas and Northern Mexico
Leucophyllum fructescens leaves and flowers
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Leucophyllum fructescens 'White Cloud' leaves and flowers
Photo by Matthew Gaston


Landscaping Information

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Texture: Dense, Coarse
  • Form: Mound to Irregular
  • Height (on average, in landscape use): 8'
  • Height to Spread Ratio: 1:1
  • Growth Rate: Medium
  • Landscape Values: Accent, Background, Border, Color, Edging, Facer, Filler, Foundation, Framing, Hedge, Mass, Quick Effect, Screen, Space Division
  • Outstanding Quality: Flower Color, Foliage Color, Foliage Characters
Leucophyllum fructescens 
Photo by Matthew Gaston


Leucophyllum fructescens 'White Cloud' 
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Botanical Descriptions

  • Flowers: 1" long, tubular, rose to violet colored flowers with brown speckles in the throat and 5 stamens. 'White Cloud' has white flowers of the same morphology
Leucophyllum fructescens flower
Photo by Matthew Gaston

  • Fruits: Small capsule, inconspicuous 
  • Foliage Color: Young/immature: Soft Green. Mature: gray green to silvery green.
  • Foliage Tip: Rounded to Obtuse
  • Foliage Base: Acute
  • Petiole: Sessile
  • Stipules: N/A
  • Margins: Smooth
  • Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
  • Leaf Shape: obovate  
  • Leaf Type: Simple
  • Leaf Texture: Soft, fuzzy, pubescent, velvety on both sides.
  • Leaf Special Notes: silvery pubescent leaf. a sexy leaf indeed.
  • Bark and Trunk: Brown stems, pubescent when young, smooth to peeling when mature.
Leucophyllum fructescens leaves
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Leucophyllum fructescens adaxial leaf surface
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Leucophyllum fructescens abaxial leaf surface
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Horticultural Information

  • Light Preference: Full Sun
  • Light Tolerances: Semi-Sun
  • Soil Preferences: Alkaline, Sand, Dry (Xeric), Well-Drained.
  • Tolerances: Moderate Winds, Humidity, Regular Watering, Drought
  • Water Requirements: Naturally grows in dry lime soils. Water infrequently. It is known to flower when the humidity is high and/or when watered thoroughly. 
  • Notes on Maintenance: Low maintenance, usually not affected by pests or pathogens, scale and cotton root rot are potential threats. (see first photo for scale infestation)
  • Propagation: Cutting
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 8a
  • Weed Risk Assessment Score (WRA): -3, Low Risk

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