Leucophyllum frutescens
Texas sage
Leucophyllum frutescens, commonly known as Texas Sage or Barren Myrtle, is a resilient evergreen shrub native to the arid regions of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Renowned for its stunning silvery foliage and vibrant purple blooms, this hardy plant is also valued in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Leucophyllum frutescens
- Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Scrophulariaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Leucophyllum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Scrophulariaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Leucophyllum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Leucophyllum frutescens, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Russian, it is referred to as Леукофиллум кустарникoвый, while in Vietnamese, it is called Tuyết sơn phi hồng. Its names in Chinese include 紅花玉芙蓉 in both Traditional (zh-tw) and Simplified (zh) scripts, and in Arabic, it is known as مرامية فضية.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Леукофиллум кустарниковый | Wikidata |
| vi | Tuyết sơn phi hồng | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 紅花玉芙蓉 | Wikidata |
| ar | مرامية فضية | Wikidata |
| zh | 紅花玉芙蓉 | Wikidata |
| arz | مراميه فضيه | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 红花玉芙蓉 | Wikidata |
| es | Texas Sage | Wikidata |
| zh | 红花玉芙蓉 | Wikidata |
| zh | 德州鼠尾草 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across North America. In the United States, it is specifically documented within the South-Central region of Texas. Its presence extends extensively throughout Mexico, covering the Northeast and the Gulf regions. Furthermore, it can be found across the Northwest territories of Mexico. Finally, the species is also established throughout the Southwest portion of the country.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Leeward Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Leucophyllum frutescens, utilizes various anatomical structures for both survival and medicinal application. The leaves are perhaps the most distinctive feature, characterized by their small, silvery-grey appearance and soft texture, which play a crucial role in photosynthesis and water conservation. The flowers are typically delicate, blooming in shades of lavender or pink to attract pollinators, adding a vibrant aesthetic to the shrub. Beneath the surface, the roots serve as a vital anchoring system, absorbing essential nutrients and water from the soil to sustain the plant's growth. Collectively, these parts—the leaves, flowers, and roots—constitute the biological framework of this resilient medicinal species.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Leucophyllum frutescens has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-octen-3-ol, D-limonene, epigallocatechin, eudesmin, myricetin-3-acetylrhamnoside.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1-octen-3-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epigallocatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eudesmin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricetin-3-acetylrhamnoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-heneicosane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pinoresinol diglucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| propyl gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin-3-O-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| theobromine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Leucophyllum frutescens has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, neurodegenerative diseases.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |