Texas Wildbuds
Plumbago zeylanica
(Wild Leadwort)
Pumbago zeylanica, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3173
Pumbago zeylanica, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3179
Pumbago zeylanica, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3190
Pumbago zeylanica, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3182
Pumbago zeylanica, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3186
Pumbago zeylanica, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3184
| Scientific Name | Plumbago zeylanica (Plumbago scandens) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PLZE |
| Common Name | Wild Leadwort, Doctorbush | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 21340 |
| Family | Plumbaginaceae (Plumbago) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Various soils in palm groves, thickets, roadsides and fencerows in the Lower Rio Grande Valley; also in rocky areas in canyons of Presidio County. Plant: Perennial with woody, brittle, slender stems; prostrate, climbing, or erect and smooth; stems up to 40 inches long. Leaves: Alternate, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 1-5/8 inches wide; acute or acuminate tips and entire margins. Inflorence: Slender spikes up to 6 inches long of several to many white or blue-tinged, tubular flowers (floral tube 1/2 to 1-1/8 inches long) with 5 spreading lobes, up to almost 1 inch across; 5 stamens with blue anthers and single style; calyx is tubular less than 3/8-inch long and covered with glandular bristles. Bloom Period: Year-round. References: P. scandens in "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and “Trees and Shrubs of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas” by A. Michael Powell; P. zeylanica in SEINet. |
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 2025
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