Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Desert Yaupon

Schaefferia cuneifolia

Other common name(s):

Family:

Celastraceae (Bittersweet 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.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
4
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Orange, Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance and drought tolerant. Remove dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth and improve air circulation. Thinning crowded areas enhances sunlight exposure and reduces disease risk, while maintaining shape and size for landscape management. Watch for common problems like aphids, scale, and root rot if the soil is poorly drained. Native habitat: chaparral, brush country, hillsides and slopes. Propagation: seed. stem cuttings.

Comments

Blooms February-September. Features smooth, grey stems and pale green, tear-drop shaped leaves that are clustered along the stem. It produces tiny, greenish, inconspicuous flowers and small, roundish, orange to bright red berries that grow close to the stem.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Schaefferia cuneifolia seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification to simulate natural winter conditions and break dormancy. Place the cleaned seeds between moist paper towels in a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate them for 6-8 weeks. After stratification, sow the seeds in a well-draining seed starting mix. Press the seeds gently into the surface without burying them deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. With optimal conditions, germination can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Be patient and provide consistent care. Though hardy once established, young plants might require protection from frost in colder regions. The best time to collect Schaefferia cuneifolia seeds is in the fall from female plants when the small, red berries ripen. Extract the seeds from the fruit and rinse them thoroughly to remove any pulp. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-schaefferia-cuneifolia/
Semi-harwood Cutting Select healthy stems free from disease or damage. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or pruning shears, make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 pairs at the top. While not strictly necessary, dipping the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone can significantly improve the chances of success. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining potting mix, burying the bottom node. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. It can take several weeks for the cuttings to develop roots. You can test for root development by gently tugging on the cutting; resistance indicates root formation. Though hardy once established, young plants might require protection from frost in colder regions. Take semi-hardwood cuttings – sections of stem that are partially mature – during the late spring or early summer. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-schaefferia-cuneifolia/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Schaefferia_cuneifolia.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Desert%20Yaupon?&text=Desert%20Yaupon%2C%20renowned%20for%20its,roots%20develop%20steadily%20over%20time.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason