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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Plumbago scandens (Doctorbush)
Smith, R.W.

Plumbago scandens

Plumbago scandens L.

Doctorbush, Summer Snow Plumbago, Mexican Plumbago

Plumbaginaceae (Leadwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PLSC4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), PR (N), VI (N)

 

From the Image Gallery

11 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems decumbent to climbing, up to about 10 feet long, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: AZ , FL , TX
Native Habitat: South Texas species. Native to washes and canyons from 2,500' to 4,000' across Baja California, southern Arizona, and southwest Texas.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Prefers shade in Central TX and to be planted in a protected area to ensure wintering well in Central Texas. Does best with regular watering.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: No

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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