 | Torchwood, Chapotillo, Mexican Amyris, Mountain Torchwood Amyris, Sierra Madre Torchwood Amyris madrensis Rutaceae The leaves and flowers of Amyris madrensis are suffused with the aroma of citrus, not surprising since it is a member of the citrus family. A pretty, slender, densely-branched shrub, it is found in Texas only in the chaparral and thickets in the very southernmost Rio Grande Plains and is winter hardy only as far north as Houston. The glossy evergreen leaves are dark green and leathery, pinnately compound with 5 to 9 pairs of wavy-margined leaflets. The white flowers, inconspicuous but fragrant, appear spring to fall, and the fruit is a small, attractive, reddish-brown drupe, greatly valued by birds. Torchwoods are very tolerant of heat and drought. In their native habitat they grow in understory shade but can do as well in full sun. In zone 9 and below both mountain torchwood and Texas torchwood are attractive choices where an evergreen is needed.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub
Exposure: sun Flower Color: green or white, inconspicuous
Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: small reddish-brown drupe with one seed Height: 3 to 10+ feet Width: 3 to 8 feet Plant Character: evergreen Heat Tolerance: very high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: adaptable Additional Comments: The name "torchwood" refers to the fact that the wood ignites easily.
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