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Ehretia anacua

Anacua

Boraginaceae South Texas and northeastern Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Ehretia anacua is an evergreen to semi-evergreen tree in the borage family, reaching 20-45 feet (6-14 m) tall with a dense, rounded crown and a short, often multiple trunk with furrowed, reddish-brown bark that flakes with age. The dark green leaves are oval, 1-3.5 inches (2.5-9 cm) long, and stiff with a rough, sandpapery upper surface that gives the tree one of its common names. In spring, and again after summer rains, it carries dense clusters of small, fragrant white flowers, each about 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide, that draw bees and butterflies in large numbers. The flowers ripen into round yellow to orange drupes 0.3 inch (8 mm) across that are edible and eaten by many birds and mammals. It grows in south Texas and northeastern Mexico, in brushland, riverbanks, and open woodland on a range of soils, including limestone-derived and sandy ground. Mature trees cast dense shade and tolerate heat, drought, and poor soil once established. Hard freezes below about 18 F (-8 C) can damage the foliage and young wood, limiting it to mild-winter regions. The rough leaves and clustered white flowers make it easy to recognize in its native range.

Native Range

Native to south Texas and northeastern Mexico, from the lower Rio Grande valley south into Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and neighboring states. It grows in thorn brushland, along rivers, and in open woodland on limestone, sandy, and alluvial soils. Its range is centered on the warm, semi-arid Gulf lowlands.

Suggested Uses

Ehretia anacua is used as a shade and street tree, an evergreen screen, and a wildlife tree in mild-winter regions of Texas and Mexico. Its dense crown, fragrant flowers, and bird-drawing fruit suit parks, large gardens, and naturalized plantings. It also serves in xeriscapes and reclaimed brushland once established.

How to Identify

Identify it by oval, dark green leaves with a stiff, sandpaper-rough upper surface on a densely crowned tree 20-45 feet (6-14 m) tall. Dense clusters of small, fragrant white flowers appear in spring and after rains, followed by round yellow-to-orange fruits about 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide. The bark is furrowed and reddish-brown, flaking on older trunks. The rough leaves and white flower clusters are the key marks.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 45'

Width/Spread20' - 35'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

The main bloom comes in spring, with repeat flushes after summer and autumn rains. Dense clusters of fragrant white flowers cover the canopy for a week or two at a time. Each flush is followed by yellow-orange fruit that ripens within a few weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

10-20 years to mature size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Ehretia anacua grows in full sun to part shade on a wide range of well-drained soils, including limestone, sand, and loam, and tolerates alkaline ground. Once established it withstands heat, drought, and wind, though regular water speeds growth and fullness in youth. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and is damaged by hard freezes below about 18 F (-8 C). Young trees are watered through their first few summers to build deep roots, after which little irrigation is needed. The tree suckers from the roots and can form a multi-stemmed clump or grove unless suckers are removed. It needs no feeding in reasonable soils and is largely free of serious pests.

Pruning

Young trees are pruned in late winter to establish a single trunk or a balanced multi-stem framework and to lift the lower canopy. Root suckers are removed through the growing season where a single-trunk form is wanted. Mature trees need little pruning beyond removing dead or crossing branches.