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Arbutus xalapensis (Texas madrone)
Crank, Elinor

Arbutus xalapensis Kunth

Texas madrone, Madrone, Naked indian, Manzanita

Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Synonyms: Arbutus xalapensis var. texana, Arbutus texana

USDA Symbol: ARXA80

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Usually multi-trunked, Texas madrone is a 20-30 ft., evergreen tree. Its colorful, exfoliating outer bark reveals polished, red, inner bark. Stout, crooked, spreading branches form a distinct crown. Dark-green, leaves are red-tinged on edges and undersides. Petioles up to 1 1/4 inches long, blades to 3 1/2 inches long, ovate to elliptic, of a leathery texture, margins usually smooth. Flowers white, small, urn shaped, in wooly clusters, appearing in early spring. Fruit red or orange berries, spherical, up to 1/3 inch in diameter, in elongate clusters, edible.

It is reported that the fruit of this uncommon species is edible and that the fruit of related European species has narcotic properties. The wood has been used locally for tool handles. The local names, Naked Indian and Ladys Leg, refer to the smooth, pinkish to reddish-brown bark.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnately Veined
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Obtuse , Rounded
Leaf Base: Rounded
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Drupe
Leaf Color: Shiny dark green above, lower surface paler
Flower Size: about 2 1/2 inches long
Fruit Length: 1/4 - 1/3 in., borne in clusters 2-3 in. long.
Fruit Color: Orange-red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: NM , TX
Native Distribution: Central Texas (Edwards Plateau) to Trans-Pecos Texas, SE. New Mexico (Guadalupe Mountains), and NE. Mexico; at 2000-6000 (610-1829 m).
Native Habitat: Found in central Texas west to southeastern New Mexico, and south to Mexico and Guatemala. Grows in rocky limestone soil; igneous soil in canyons; and is sometimes found on the open plains of the Edwards Plateau and in the mountains of the Trans-Pecos.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, rocky soils. Limestone-based, Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam Clay
Conditions Comments: One of the most interesting and beautiful native trees of Texas, but temperamental to propagate or grow. Propagation requirements are complex, and it is very difficult to transplant successfully from the wild. In the landscape, it grows best in well-drained areas.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Fruits ornamental, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Birds eat sweet berries. Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals, Fruit-deer. Browsed by cattle and heavily by deer and goats.
Use Medicinal: The bark and leaves are astringent and are occasionally used in Mexico.
Use Other: The wood is used for tools, handles, rollers, fuel, and charcoal for gunpowder. It is reddish brown, sapwood lighter, close-grained, hard, heavy, specific gravity about 0.75.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: No

 

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I have seeds from a madrone tree and would like to know if you have had success propagating a madrone and if so, could you give me some tips, because I hear it can be tricky.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-22
Research By: NPC

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