Leucophyllum frutescens

Leucophyllum frutescens is an evergreen shrub in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, native to the U.S. state of Texas, where it is the official "State Native Shrub of Texas",^[2] and to the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas in northern Mexico. Although commonly known as Texas sage, it is not a true sage and is distinct from the genus Salvia. The species is also called Texas Ranger, Texas rain sage, cenizo, Texas silverleaf, Texas barometerbush, ash-bush, wild lilac, purple sage, senisa, cenicilla, palo cenizo, or hierba del cenizo.

Leucophyllum frutescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Scrophulariaceae
Genus:	Leucophyllum
Species:	L. frutescens
Binomial name
Leucophyllum frutescens (Berland.) I.M.Johnst.
Synonyms
Terania frutescens Berland.[1]

Description

The solitary axillary flowers are bell- or funnel-shaped, with five lobes and two lips. This species is found in rocky, calcareous soils.^[3]

Cultivation

Texas sage is a popular ornamental plant, commonly used for edge and area plantings in warmer and drier areas; it requires minimal water, is easily shaped into hedges, and blooms over the entire surface. It is available in a variety of cultivars, including 'Green Cloud', 'White Cloud', 'Compacta', 'Convent', and 'Bert-Star'.^[4]

Ecology

Leucophyllum frutescens is a host plant for the caterpillars of the theona checkerspot (Chlosyne theona)^[5] and calleta silkmoth (Eupackardia calleta).^[6]

Barometer bush

Ornamental Texas sage in bloom

Texas sage

Texas sage is nicknamed the "barometer bush" due to a commonly held belief that it can predict the rain. According to folklore, the plant goes into bloom in anticipation of upcoming rain. It appears that the plant sometimes blooms because of humidity or low atmospheric pressure, which can occur before or after rain.^[7][8][9]