Research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service

Information on Risk Assessments
Original risk assessment

Leucophyllum frutescens (Common names: Texas ranger, Texas sage, barometer bush, cenizo, silverleaf, purple sage.

Answer

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=-1, n=-1

n

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

n

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

2

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

2

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2

?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

n

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

n

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

n

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

y

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

n

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

n

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

4.1

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

n

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

n

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

n

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

y

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

n

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

3

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

n

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

n

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

n

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

n

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

-3

Source

Notes

1.01

Other varieties: 'Alba,' white flowers; 'Green Cloud,' greener foliage and pinkish flowers; 'Silver Cloud,' silvery foliage and blue flowers; 'Compacta,' smaller variety for low hedges.

http://www.greenbeam.com/features/plant012698.html

1.02

No evidence

1.03

No evidence

2.01

(1)Range/Origin: Texas, Mexico (2)Native to southwestern USA and northern Mexico.

(1)http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html (2)http://uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/final/lefr_fl.jpg

2.02

Purple sage comes from shrublands on limestone slopes in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. It is now widely cultivated in Florida and Southeast Asia, where it flowers magnificently in steamy tropical weather.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

2.03

(1)Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 - 10. This species is hardy to 10ºF (-12ºC). Plants may survive temperatures down to 5ºF (-15ºC) or lower, but they will drop their leaves. They bloom best in hot, humid weather. (2)Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2° C (10° F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4° C (15° F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6° C (20° F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8° C (25° F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1°C (30° F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F) (3)usceptible to root rot in this humid location (4)Tolerates salt spray

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm (2)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54689/ (3)http://www.mrgrow.com/plant/plant197.htm (4)http://kleberg-tx.tamu.edu/masterg/landscapeplants/butterfly.htm

2.04

(1)Range/Origin: Texas, Mexico (2)Native to southwestern USA and northern Mexico.

(1)http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html (2)http://uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/final/lefr_fl.jpg (3)http://www.mrgrow.com/plant/plant197.htm

2.05

It is now widely cultivated in Florida and Southeast Asia, where it flowers magnificently in steamy tropical weather.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

3.01

No evidence

3.02

No evidence

3.03

No evidence

3.04

No evidence

3.05

No evidence

4.01

No evidence of such structures.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

4.02

No evidence

4.03

No evidence

http://www.omnisterra.com/bot/pp_home.cgi?name=
Leucophyllum+frutescens&submit=Submit+Query&search=all

4.04

(1)This plant is resistant to deer (2)Cenízo is foraged by insects, cattle and white-tailed deer. (3) 'Purple sage is one tough plant! It can face droughts, freezes, high winds, salt spray, hungry deer, and blazing heat and keep right on performing beautifully. ' (4)Deer resistant

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54689/ (2)http://uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/lefr.htm (3)http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm (4)http://www.klru.org/ctg/deer_resistant.asp

4.05

No evidence

4.06

http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/all/FindRecOneFungusFrame.cfm

4.07

The dried leaves and flowers can be brewed into a pleasant herbal tea that is said to be mildly sedative and good as a bedtime drink or for treating colds and flus.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

4.08

evergreen shrub [grows as a sparsely spaced plant in desert environments]

http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html

4.09

(1)Exposure: full sun, reflected heat; in shade plant is leggy and flowering poor (2)Light: Purple sage prefers full sun, but can get by on 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. (3)Sun/partial shade (4)Full sun.

(1)http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html (2)http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm (3)http://kleberg-tx.tamu.edu/masterg/landscapeplants/butterfly.htm (4)http://www.greenbeam.com/features/plant012698.html

4.1

(1)Soil pH requirements: 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) (2)It does not like artificial fertilizers, in fact the plant will bloom better if it is kept hungry. very well-drained soil, acid or high pH soil, (3)Needs great drainage

(1)http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54689/ (2)http://www.mrgrow.com/plant/plant197.htm (3)http://www.burger.com/plants.htm

4.11

Not a climber - a shrub.

http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html

4.12

No evidence

5.01

Form: rounded shrub,Seasonality: evergreen, Size: 4-8ft, spread to 3/4 height, or to equal height

http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html

5.02

Scrophulariaceae

5.03

Scrophulariaceae

5.04

Scrophulariaceae

6.01

No evidence

6.02

Propagation: To grow purple sage from seed, press the seeds into moist soil, but do not cover them. They will germinate in about a month.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

6.03

(1) 'Rain Cloud' hybrid cenizo (Leucophyllum minus X L. frutescens).[Don’t know if this is a natural hybrid. Could not find abstract or full text of this article] (2)Leucophyllum frutescens x laevigatum [not natural?] (3)Examination of Hybridization in three species of Leucophyllum that are sympatric in Big Bend National Park, Texas -- Leucophyllum minus and L. frutescens did not cluster as distinct species

(1)'Rain Cloud' hybrid cenizo (Leucophyllum minus X L. frutescens). AU: Simpson, BJ SO: Leaflet L - Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A & M University System. Apr 1986. (2190) 2 p (2)http://home.earthlink.net/~meltoncnc/texasranger.htm (30http://www.nps.gov/bibe/iar/botany.htm

6.04

No evidence

6.05

(1) "a hummingbird favorite."
(2) on the list of plants used by hummingbirds (3) Wildlife Value: Nectar for bees [Scrophulariaceae flower is accessible to bees]

(1) http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54689/
(2) http://www.monrovia.com/Plantinf.nsf/0/F25799C0834
E365888256BBA0079C818?OpenDocument&Start=30&Count=1000&ExpandView (3)http://home.earthlink.net/~meltoncnc/texasranger.htm

6.06

No evidence

6.07

(1)Slow growth rate. (2)slow-growing, may reach 6-8 feet in well-watered gardens over three to five years [minimum estimate for a slow growing small shrub.]

(1)http://www.mrgrow.com/plant/plant197.htm (2)http://www.greenbeam.com/features/plant012698.html

7.01

Grow in dry areas so spread of small seeds in mud is unlikely

7.02

accent plant , mass plantings, border or hedge, medians

http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html

7.03

No products

7.04

(1)Fruit: small capsule at base of flower [gravity dispersal]

(1)http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html

7.05

Desert plant - no evidence that it inhabits waterways.

7.06

fruit is a drycapsule

http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Leucophyllum_frutescens.html

7.07

No evidence that propagules have any means of attachment.

7.08

No evidence of ingestion.

8.01

The flowers appear after summer rains, sometimes covering the plants with white, pink, lavender, purple, or blue blossoms for a spectacular week long display. Two-valved capsules filled with small wrinkled seeds follow.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm

8.02

(1)"Because the plant has a long bloom season, there are always seed capsules containing the tiny seeds during flowering. They can be planted after collection, or stored and planted outside in the spring after the last frost. " (2)Lightly press, not cover, seeds in a moist medium, germination will be in 4 weeks.(3)If propagating by seed, press the seeds into moist soil, but do not cover them. Germination by this method will take about a month. [small seeds, long germination time and desert habitat, and scrophulariaceae all imply seed bank]

(1)http://www.wildflower2.org/NPIN/Clearinghouse/
Propagation/propagation_sheets/Leucophyllum_frutescens.pdf (2)http://www.mrgrow.com/plant/plant197.htm (3)http://www.volusia.org/arboretum/Shrubs/texas_sage.htm

8.03

No evidence that the species is being controlled for.

8.04

(1)Purple sage grows slowly, so hedges of this species do not require very frequent pruning. (2) If, on the other hand, they are pruned regularly, they make excellent hedges…but there's always the chance of killing the plant

(1)http://www.floridata.com/ref/l/leuc_fru.cfm (2)http://home.att.net/~larvalbugrex/silverleaf.html

8.05

Don’t know