 | Rough Mortonia Mortonia sempervirens subsp. scabrella Celastraceae Dry rocky limestone or occasionally gypsum ledges, hills and rimrock from 2000 to 6000 feet in the Trans-Pecos provide habitat for a most distinctive western shrub, the rough mortonia. It also ranges into New Mexico, Arizona and Northern Mexico. Its rigidly upright form with white stems bearing bright grass-green, densely crowded, smallish evergreen leaves contribute toward its distinctive shape. The stems are often spine-tipped and its leaves are sandpapery to the touch. Rough mortonia is neither palatable to deer or livestock, nor does it have any commercial value, except perhaps for erosion control. Ornamentally it has potential as a small evergreen hedge or specimen plant, due to its compact size and erect stature.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub Exposure: sun Flower Color: white, creamy white
Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: capsule or achene Height: 6 feet, usually much lower Width: 3 to 5 feet Plant Character: evergreen Heat Tolerance: very high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: alkaline Additional Comments:
|
| Index of Scientific Names | Index of Common Names | Photo Gallery Index |