Leucophyllum candidum I.M.Jhonst.
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Description
Leucophyllum candidum is a small evergreen shrub, usually 1–3 m tall, with a dense rounded growth form. The branches are woody, highly branched, and covered with fine hairs, giving the plant a silvery-white appearance. The plant is drought tolerant and adapted to arid environments. Leaves are simple, opposite, and densely hairy, usually 1–3 cm long. Leaf blades are elliptic to obovate, thick, grey-green to silvery-white due to dense trichomes. The margins are entire, apex rounded or obtuse, and the surface is velvety. Flowers are bisexual, solitary, axillary, and showy, usually white to pale lavender or violet depending on population. The calyx is persistent and five-lobed. The corolla is tubular-funnel-shaped (salverform) with five spreading lobes. Stamens are four and usually didynamous, while the ovary is superior and bicarpellary. The fruit is a small dry capsule, enclosed by the persistent calyx, splitting at maturity to release numerous tiny seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico.
In Pakistan: Cultivated as an ornamental shrub in Pakistan, India. Dry tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In Pakistan it is occasionally planted in Botanical gardens, University campuses, Xeriscape landscapes.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
The genus Leucophyllum has historically been placed in Scrophulariaceae, but molecular studies place it within Plantaginaceae.