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Aspicarpa hyssopifolia
Aspicarpa hyssopifolia A. Gray
Hyssopleaf Asphead
Malpighiaceae (Barbados Cherry Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ASHY4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Small shrub with thin, upright stems to 1' in height. Base woody. Leaves opposite, sessile and partially clasping, often decussate. Leaf blades linear-lanceolate, about 1" X 1/4", margins and lower midvein hispid-cilliate. Cleistogamous flowers sessile and borne in lower leaf axils. Petaliferous, chasmogamous flowers pedicellate, rotate, 5-petaled and borne singly from leaf axils mostly at or near the branch tips. Sepals reduced to paired glands. Petals spatulate; margins crisped and fimbriate, orangish-yellow usually with dark orange to red markings.
On dry, rocky, limestone land in Southwest Texas and northern Mexico.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Subshrub
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Auriculate
Inflorescence: Axillary
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Leaf: Leaves often have a bluish cast.
Flower: Flower about 1 inch in diameter. Sepals reduced to paired glands. Stamens on chasmogamous flowers: five; two or three fertile.
Fruit: Schizocarp, breaking into nutlets, 3-5 mm.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Orange , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Flowers orangish-yellow, usually with reddish markings.
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: TX, MX
Native Habitat: Dry, limestone hills.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry, rocky, limestone soils
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesPropagation
Propagation Material: SeedsBibliography
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. JohnstonSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Aspicarpa hyssopifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Aspicarpa hyssopifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aspicarpa hyssopifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-13Research By: Joe Marcus