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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 |
