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Marcus, Joseph A.
Aloysia gratissima
Aloysia gratissima (Gillies & Hook.) Troncoso
Whitebrush, Bee-brush, White-brush, Common Bee-brush, Beebrush, Privet Lippia
Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: algr2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A fragrant, slender, erect shrub to 10 ft. with squarish stems, generally light gray bark, and branches sometimes bearing sharp tips. Leaves up to 1 inch long by 5/16 inch wide but often smaller, usually in clusters along the stems. Flowers small, white, crowded on spikes up to 3 inches long and extending above the leaves, appearing from March to November.
As the name beebush suggests, this is a honey plant. It also provides browse for wildlife.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AZ , NM , TXNative Distribution: S. & w. TX & NM, s. to Mex.
Native Habitat: Rocky outcrops; desert grasslands; bluffs; open woods
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, rocky soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: During warm months after rains this shrub produces showers of strongly vanilla-scented flowers. Bees love it. This plant can be pruned into a hedge or a small tree. Can form a thicket of stems from the base. Good background or screen plant for poor soils. Blooms best in full sun. Can be cut back to promote flowering and bushier growth.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Easily transplanted, Blooms ornamental, Showy, Hedges, ScreensUse Wildlife: Honey plant. Also provides browse for wildlife. Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Cover, Nesting site
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: Softwood CuttingsDescription: The most reliable method of propagating is from softwood tip cuttings, slightly woody at the base, taken in spring or early summer. Take the bottom cut just before a node. Untreated seeds held over winter and planted in the spring will germinate.
Seed Collection: Collect seeds in late summer when beginning to dry. Fruit may be slightly crushed and seeds removed by hand. Air-dry before storing in a cool, dry place.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Naval Air Station Kingsville - Kingsville, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Aloysia gratissima in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Aloysia gratissima in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aloysia gratissima
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-13Research By: TWC Staff, MWJ