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Native Plant Database

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Castela erecta ssp. texana (Allthorn goatbush)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Castela erecta ssp. texana (Torr. & Gray) Cronq.

Allthorn goatbush, Amargoso, Goat-bush, Texan goatbush

Simaroubaceae (Quassia-Wood Family)

Synonyms: Castela texana

USDA Symbol: caert

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A thicket forming, spiny shrub with bitter bark. Found on exposed hillsides and in prairies. Branchlets light colored, terminating in stout spines bearing lateral ones. Leaves firm textured, up to 1 inch long by 1/4 inch wide, with a pointed or rounded tip and smooth, turned down margins, the upper surface shiny, the lower covered with fine hairs visible under a 10x hand lens. Flowers small, red to orange, occuring singly or in small groups. Fruit fleshy, red, roughly spherical, slightly flattened, up to 3/8 inch long. Bark reputed to have medicinal properties.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Chaparral & brush country, Prairie/Plains/Meadows/Pastures/Savannahs, Hillsides/Slopes
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Hillsides, Slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Fruits ornamental, Showy
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Browse, Fruit-birds, Fruit-deer, Nesting site
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
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 Castela erecta ssp. texana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Castela erecta ssp. texana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Castela erecta ssp. texana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-04-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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