Guaiacum angustifolium
(Soapbush)
Guaiacum angustifolium, Blue Creek Canyon, Big Bend National Park 4542/4573
Guaiacum angustifolium, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3460
Guaiacum angustifolium, Glenn Springs Rd, Big Bend National Park 3954
Guaiacum angustifolium, Glenn Springs Rd, Big Bend National Park 3938
Guaiacum angustifolium, Fall foliage, Grapevine Hills, Big Bend National Park 1952
Guaiacum angustifolium, Grapevine Hills, Big Bend National Park 3557
Guaiacum angustifolium, Grapevine Hills, Big Bend National Park 3569
| Scientific Name | Guaiacum angustifolium (Porlieria angustifolia) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | GUAN |
| Common Name | Soapbush, Guyacan | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 29040 |
| Family | Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop) | Flora of North America Ref. | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Desert habitat; limestone soils in arroyos and brush lands. Plant: Evergreen shrub usually no taller than 6 feet with spreading, straggly branches; Leaves: Leaves in crowded fascicles (clusters) or opposite, pinnately-compound, each with 4 to 8 pairs of dark green linear-oblong to linear-spatulate leaflets; each leaflet 0.2 to 0.6 inches long, rounded at the tip and have a tiny spike at the apex; folding at night or in the heat of the day. Inflorescence: Fragrant, blue to purple flowers arising from leaf axils, single or in clusters, each about 0.5 to 0.8-inch across with 5 petals and 10 protruding stamens with yellow, cream-colored or tan anthers; greenish pistil protruding from the center, shorter or nearly as long as the stamens. Bloom Period March to September. Fruit: Somewhat heart-shaped, flattened capsule becoming orange, 0.4 to 0.8 inches in diameter with 2 to 4 lobes. Reference: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, American Southwest and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024