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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Philadelphus ernestii

Philadelphus ernestii Hu

Canyon Mock Orange, Canyon Mock-orange, Mock-orange

Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PHER

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small shrub with loose bark on the main stems. Among boulders along streams. Rare and needing protection. Leaves narrowly ovate, up to 1 3/8 inches long by 1/2 inch wide, with smooth margins and 3 prominent veins on the upper surface, the lower surface covered with appressed hairs visible under a l0x hand lens. Flowers white, showy, numerous along the branchlets, opening in April and May. Fruit a capsule shaped like a top, 3/l6 inch long by 3/16 inch wide with 4 remnants of the flower projecting from the midpoint between the tip and the base.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Rare onrocky cliffs and other well drained sites near wet areas on the Edwards Plateau; endemic

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: Medium
Conditions Comments: Almost evergreen plant for shaded and protected locations. Flowers smell like orange blossoms making it an excellent plant near outside living areas. Plant 3 to 4 feet apart in well drained soil. Deer browse this shrub so it must be protected.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

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
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-23
Research By: DEW, JSC

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