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Smith, R.W.

Anisacanthus puberulus

Anisacanthus puberulus (Torr.) Henrickson & Lott

Dwarf Desert Honeysuckle, Pinky Anisacanthus, Pinkie Anisacanth

Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)

Synonym(s): Anisacanthus insignis, Drejera puberula

USDA Symbol: ANPU6

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Numerous long, pink, tubular flowers with re-curved linear lobes in early spring before new foliage appears on long, semi-woody, spreading to decumbent stems. Occasional light blooming in summer and fall.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Big Bend of Texas in Brewster and Presidio cos. and adjacent Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico, on rocky banks of arroyos and sandy washes.
Native Habitat: High elevation, Canyons, Ditches/Ravines/Depressions, Thickets

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Will grow in full sun, part shade or dappled shade. Will grow in sand, loam, clay, caliche or limestone soils. Also does well as a potted patio plant. Will tolerate reflected heat and is drought tolerant. Looks nice in the winter with the slender branches displaying shreaded bark.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Long-blooming, Showy, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-moths, Nectar-insects, Nectar-hummingbirds, Browse.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Larval Host: Crescentspot butterfly
Nectar Source: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Webref 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas Arboretum

Additional resources

USDA: Find Anisacanthus puberulus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Anisacanthus puberulus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Anisacanthus puberulus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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