Lygodesmia texana
Texas skeleton plant
Overview
Lygodesmia texana is a herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae), growing 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall from a deep, woody taproot. The rigid, much-branched stems are green and nearly leafless, giving the plant a wiry, broom-like outline; lower leaves are reduced to narrow scales 0.2-1.2 inches (5-30 mm) long. Flower heads sit singly at the branch tips, each 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across and composed of 8-12 pink to lavender ray florets with squared, toothed tips. Broken stems release milky latex. The green stems carry out photosynthesis in place of broad foliage, an adaptation to dry, exposed sites across the south-central United States and northern Mexico. Bloom occurs from spring into autumn whenever soil moisture allows, and seed disperses on a tan pappus carried by wind. The deep taproot supports regrowth after grazing and drought but does not re-establish well once cut, so mature plants transplant poorly. The open, nearly leafless form reads as sparse in cultivated borders, and growth declines in wet, heavy ground where drainage is slow. Plants tolerate low-fertility sandy and rocky soils and self-sow on bare, disturbed ground.
Native Range
Lygodesmia texana is native to the south-central United States, from Texas and Oklahoma west to New Mexico and Colorado, and south into northern Mexico. It grows on prairies, limestone outcrops, sandy plains, and disturbed roadsides, typically below 6,500 feet (2,000 m).Suggested Uses
Used in native plant gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscape plantings on sandy or rocky soils, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. It suits wildflower meadows and pollinator plantings in hot, dry regions. The sparse habit suits naturalistic settings more than formal borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to lavenderFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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