Guaiacum angustifolium [Zygophyllaceae]

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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, www.americansouthwest.net and Flora of North America.
BONAP Distribution Map

Texas Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2022