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Native Plant Database

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Hechtia glomerata (Guapilla)
Watson, Sean

Hechtia glomerata Zucc.

Guapilla

Bromeliaceae (Airplant Family)

USDA Symbol: HEGL7

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Plant to 18 dm tall; leaves in a dense spreading rosette, linear-lanceolate, the margins with approximate spines, densely covered with whitish or pale-brown scales on the lower surface; scape erect or ascending, slender, supporting a laxly compound inflorescence. Found in gravel and on sandstone formations in Starr and Zapata counties.

Guapilla is a xeric terrestrial bromeliad in the same family as pineapple. The rosette is evergreen, and has an interesting, spiraling form that makes it a great sculptural accent plant. This plant is hardy to about 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Size Notes: 0-1
Flower:
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Saline tolerant

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Seeds-granivorous birds, Seeds-Small mammals, Cover
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1049 Collected 2011-06-15 in Starr County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

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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.

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Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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