Plant
Cenizo
Leucophyllum frutescensAlso known as Texas Sage, Texas Silverleaf, Texas Barometerbush, Texas Ranger
Cenizo thrives in dry, rocky limestone soils across southern Texas and northern Mexico, producing dense gray-green foliage covered in silvery hairs. Following heavy summer rains or sharp spikes in atmospheric humidity, entire bushes burst simultaneously into brilliant magenta-pink or purple blossoms. These sudden mass blooms attract native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds while serving as a natural barometer for desert ecosystems.
ShrubDesertFlowering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Deer
- Livestock
- Caterpillars
ThreatsOverwatering, habitat clearance, urban development
HabitatsArid shrublands, desert scrub, rocky limestone hills
Life span20–30 years
Classification
- OrderLamiales
- FamilyScrophulariaceae
- GenusLeucophyllum
- SpeciesLeucophyllum frutescens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Rain Indicators: Look for dramatic purple blooms two to three days after sudden summer rains.
- Sun Requirements: Observe specimens thriving best in full sun and well-drained, alkaline soil.
- Wildlife Watching: Stand quietly nearby during peak bloom to spot native pollinators.
Native Companion Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) Jo Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Liliana Ramírez-Freire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.