| Common Name | Latin Name | Plant Family |
|---|---|---|
|
Texas Madrone |
Arbutus texana |
Ericaceae |
Wood – heavy, hard, close grained. Used for small tools, mathematical instruments, rollers etc[82, 149]. It is a good fuel and also produces a fine grade of charcoal[149, 229].
Cultivation & Habitat
Seed – best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 – 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[78]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[134]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 – 3 months at 20¡c[134]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[184], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K].
Basal cuttings in late winter[200].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season’s growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[78].
Layering of young wood – can take 2 years[1, 200].
Requires a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[200]. Succeeds on dry soils[82].
This species is unlikely to be hardy in the colder areas of the country, it probably tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10¡c[200].
There is some confusion over the name of this plant, some books suggest that A texana is a synonym of A xalapensis. HBK. whilst others say that A texana exists in its own right and has a synonym of A. xalapensis. non HBK[11, 149, 200]. A. texana is very closely related to A. xalapense and is considered by many botanists to be indistinguishable from that species[274].
South-western N. America – Texas to New Mexico and south to Mexico.
Become ungovernable, break the chains of the matrix; grow and forage your own food and medicine.
*None of the information on this website qualifies as professional medical advice. Take only what resonates with your heart and use your own personal responsibility for what’s best for you. For more information [brackets] [000], see bibliography.