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Arbutus texana - Buckley.

Common Name Texas Madrone
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry limestone hills[82]. Chaparral and somewhat humid oak forests[181].
Range South-western N. America - Texas to New Mexico and south to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Arbutus texana Texas Madrone


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Arbutus texana Texas Madrone

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Arbutus texana is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in March, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. xalapensis. non H.B.K..

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. A sweetish taste[149], the fruit has a dry mealy flesh[181]. It has narcotic properties[181]. The fruit is up to 1cm in diameter[229].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent

The bitter principles in the bark and leaves can be used as an astringent[229].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Fuel  Wood

Wood - heavy, hard, close grained. Used for small tools, mathematical instruments, rollers etc[82, 149]. It is a good fuel and also produces a fine grade of charcoal[149, 229].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[200]. Succeeds on dry soils[82]. This species is unlikely to be hardy in the colder areas of the country, it probably tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. There is some confusion over the name of this plant, some books suggest that A texana is a synonym of A xalapensis. HBK. whilst others say that A texana exists in its own right and has a synonym of A. xalapensis. non HBK[11, 149, 200]. A. texana is very closely related to A. xalapense and is considered by many botanists to be indistinguishable from that species[274].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[78]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[134]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[134]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[184], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K]. Basal cuttings in late winter[200]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[78]. Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[1, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Epigaea repensMayflower, Trailing arbutus, Ground LaurelShrub0.1 3-8  LMSM222

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Buckley.

Botanical References

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Subject : Arbutus texana  
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