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Leucophyllum zygophyllum

Accession Count: 49
Common Name: blue ranger, blue rain sage
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Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
Botanical Name: Leucophyllum zygophyllum
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:

The blue rain sage is a desert shrub that naturally grows in a rounded form about 4-6 feet tall and wide. It provides color and texture to landscapes throughout the year. As a broadleaf evergreen, it has pale silvery-green alternate leaves that are simple, oval and cupped ½ inch long and wide. Bright blue-purple flowers with inconspicuous fruit.
Compound: Leu zyg
Geographic Origin: Chihuahuan Desert
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History: L. zygophyllum is native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It has been propagated and distributed throughout the United States as a popular landscape ornamental. It can be found in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Most of the  Chihuahuan desert can be found in the country of Mexico. 
Cultivation Notes: The blue rain sage a reliable performer in xeric landscapes, requiring little water in summer. Avoid over watering or watering in the winter as this species is susceptible to Texas/cotton root rot. Cultivars like 'Cimmarron' are more resistant to disease. L. zygophyllum tolerates full sun, high heat and cold to 10 F. It can be propagated from seed or from softwood cuttings taken early in the summer. 
Ethnobotany:

The silvery foliage and purple flowers combined make an attractive accent in landscape. This species is valued for being an informal, low hedge but mostly used as a natural habitat. The Native Americans have used blue sage for healing, energy cleansing, to remove negative energy and ritual ceremonies as well (3). Sage in general is used world wide in many cultural ceremonies as well for medicinal properties.
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Fall
Color: Purple
Function: Habitat
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
  1.  Mielke, Judy. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. University of Texas Press, 1993.
  2. public.asu.edu
  3. newmoonbeginnings.com. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
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Leucophyllum zygophyllum