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Native Plant Society of Texas

Low Menodora

Menodora heterophylla

Other common name(s):

Redbud

Family:

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Limestone Cut Plain
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, 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

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.25
to
.75
ft.

Spread

.25
to
.75
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Caliche, Clay, Dry, Gravelly, Limestone, Loam, Sand

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Shrubland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Nectar Insects

Maintenance

An early bloomer. Can be used as a ground cover. Thrives in a variety of soils. Drought tolerant. Native habitat: caliche outcrops and rocky hills, and in mesquite pastures.

Description

Blooms February-October. Low growing, with tiny, narrow leaves. Showy, yellow flowers. The fruit is a capsule, usually occurring in pairs.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Low Menodora, Twinpod

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Clean and dry the seeds thoroughly. Remove any debris or plant material to prevent mold and disease. Prepare a well-draining soil mix by combining equal parts potting soil, sand, and perlite. Fill seed trays or small pots with the soil mix. Place the seeds on the surface of the soil mix and lightly press them in. Cover with a thin layer of soil or sand, ensuring good soil-to-seed contact. Mist the soil with water to keep it evenly moist but not waterlogged. Place the trays or pots in a warm, bright area with indirect sunlight. Monitor moisture levels and mist as needed until germination occurs. Harvest mature seeds from existing low menodora plants. Look for brown, dry seed capsules that easily release seeds when gently crushed. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Menodora_heterophylla.html#:~:text=Harvest%20mature%20seeds%20from%20existing,Watering%20and%20germination 2) https://www.botanikks.com/plants/menodora-heterophylla-moric-ex-dc/559367/1
Seed Stratification Menodora seeds benefit from a period of cold, moist stratification to break their dormancy. In late fall or winter, mix the seeds with a moist (not soggy) seed starting mix or vermiculite. Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator (33-40°F) for 4-6 weeks. After stratification, sow the seeds in seed trays or pots filled with a well-draining seed starting mix. Press the seeds gently onto the surface, but avoid burying them deeply, as they require light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Misting the surface with water can prevent disturbing the small seeds. Place the seed trays in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. A temperature around 70-75°F is ideal for germination. Menodora seeds can take 2-4 weeks (or even longer) to germinate. Be patient and continue to provide consistent moisture and light. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-menodora-heterophylla/ 2) https://www.botanikks.com/plants/menodora-heterophylla-moric-ex-dc/559367/1
Stem Cutting Select healthy, non-flowering stems for your cuttings. Aim for sections that are at least 4-6 inches long. Using sharp, sterilized pruning shears, make a clean cut just below a leaf node (the point where a leaf attaches to the stem). Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting to prevent them from rotting in the soil. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone to encourage faster and stronger root development. Plant the cuttings in small pots filled with a well-draining potting mix. Keep the potting mix moist. Covering the cuttings with a plastic bag or dome will create a humid environment that promotes rooting. The best time to take cuttings is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-menodora-heterophylla/ 2) https://www.botanikks.com/plants/menodora-heterophylla-moric-ex-dc/559367/1

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason