Amyris texana
| Amyris texana | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Amyris |
| Species: | A. texana
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| Binomial name | |
| Amyris texana | |
Amyris texana, commonly known as the Texas torchwood or chapotillo, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae.[1][2] It is native to southern Texas, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.[3] It is a perennial shrub reaching 6 ft (1.8 m) in height and is found in the Tamaulipan mezquital ecoregion.[1][4]
Description
[edit]Texas torchwood grows to a height of 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) and roughly the same width.[5] Its leaves are evergreen with three pairs of leaflets, and they "smell like citrus when crushed."[6] Small, cream-colored flowers bloom in clusters from March until October or November.[7] Dark purple fruits form when the flowers have been pollinated, each containing one seed. The bark is mottled and lacks thorns.[8]
Ecology
[edit]Texas torchwood is both a drought-resistant and freeze-hardy shrub.[5][7] It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, bees, and other pollinators.[7] Giant swallowtail butterflies exclusively lay their eggs on the young leaves of Texas torchwood and a handful of other plants.[9]
Gallery
[edit]-
Texas torchwood (Amyris texana) observed in Hidalgo County, Texas. Photo by Douglas Goldman. -
Texas torchwood (Amyris texana) observed in Hidalgo County, Texas. Photo by Douglas Goldman. -
Torchwood, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County, March 2023. -
Texas torchwood (Amyris texana) observed in Hidalgo County, Texas. Photo by Douglas Goldman.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Amyris texana (Buckley) P. Wilson". Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ "Texas Torchwood". nativeplantproject.com. Native Plant Project. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ "Amyris texana (Buckley) P.Wilson". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ Shindle, David B.; Tewes, Michael E. (1998). "Woody Species Composition of Habitats used by Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province". The Southwestern Naturalist. 43 (2): 273–279. JSTOR 30055366.
- ^ a b "Texas Torchwood". Garden Style San Antonio. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
- ^ "Amyris texana". Native Plant Society of Texas. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "Plant database entry for Chapotillo (Amyris texana) with one image and 49 data details". garden.org. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
- ^ Star, Special to the (11 April 2021). "Texas Torchwood - Chapotillo". MyRGV.com. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
- ^ Shiraiwa, Kojiro; Cong, Qian; Grishin, Nick V. (23 December 2014). "A new Heraclides swallowtail (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) from North America is recognized by the pattern on its neck". ZooKeys (468): 85–135. doi:10.3897/zookeys.468.8565. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC 4296521. PMID 25610342.