Accession Count: 190
Common Name:
white desert plumbago
Family Name:
Plumbaginaceae
Botanical Name:
Plumbago zeylanica
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
This plant is dense, sprawling perennial with densely packed dark green leaves about an inch long (1, 4). Stems are bright green and woody and will climb fences or sprawl outwards. From early Summer through Fall, white flowers with five tubular petals sporadically line stems (3, 4, 5). This plant tends to attract butterflies (2, 5).
Compound:
Plu zey
Geographic Origin:
Arizona, Florida, Texas, Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The white desert plumbago is an endemic to South Texas, Southern Arizona, Florida and Mexico. Native to washes and canyons from 2,500 to 4,000 across, this plant thrives well in desert environments(7).
Cultivation Notes:
Native to Arizona, this plant naturally grows in moist canyons and washes (3) and as such prefers filtered shade (1, 2, 3, 5) and well-drained soils (3). It needs weekly watering during the summer, but should not be over watered (5).
Ethnobotany:
This plant is used in landscaping. It looks best when pruned back, this should be done in spring time, so it can take its natural shape.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
White
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
