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Texas Madrone

Arbutus xalapensis

Other common name(s):

Madrone, Texas Arbutus, Manzanita, Xoxocote, Amazaquitl

Family:

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Llano Uplift

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

20
to
30
ft.

Spread

20
to
30
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Forage, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Deer

Maintenance

Little maintenance required. Needs moisture but also very good drainage. Protect bark from browsing by deer. Propagation: Seeds.

Comments

Multitrunked, understory tree that is very slow growing. However, it is one of the most interesting and beautiful native trees of Texas. Flowers are white, small, urn shaped. Fruit is elongated, in cluster of red or orange spherical berries. The outer bark peels back revealing a polished, red inner bark. Birds and mammals eat sweet berries. Browsed by cattle and heavily by deer and goats. Pollination: Nectar insects.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Arbutus texana, Arbutus xalapensis var. texana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARXA80. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Arbutus+xalapensis&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=9622&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 279. 6) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=184548#null

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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