Scutellaria mexicana
paperbag bush
Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Overview
Scutellaria mexicana is a rounded, densely branched desert shrub 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) wide, with rigid, pale gray branches that end in stiff, spine-like tips. Leaves are small, oblong, 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long, gray-green, and often drop during dry periods. Two-lipped flowers 0.5-0.7 inch (13-18 mm) long appear from March to June; the lower lip is deep violet-purple and the upper lip and tube are whitish. After flowering the calyx enlarges into an inflated, papery, bladder-like pod 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) across that turns tan to pinkish and encloses the seeds. These papery pods remain on the branches for months. The shrub is leafless for much of the dry season and produces leaves and flowers after rainfall. Stems are brittle and the overall form is intricate and tangled. Growth is slow in the wild, with plants reaching mature size over several years.
Native Range
Native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, including the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts, from California east to Texas and south into Mexico. Grows in desert washes, gravelly flats, and rocky slopes from 1,000 to 5,000 feet (300-1,500 m).Suggested Uses
Grown in desert and xeriscape gardens, on dry banks, and in native habitat plantings, spaced 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) apart. The papery pods add dry-season interest. Not suited to lawns, irrigated beds, or humid climates.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from March to June, with timing tied to winter and spring rainfall rather than to a fixed date. In years of good rain, flowering is heavier and lasts 4-8 weeks; in dry years it may be brief or skipped. A lighter second bloom can follow summer rains in some areas.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in coarse, gravelly or sandy, sharply drained desert soil. Water is needed only to establish; mature plants are adapted to long dry periods and decline in regularly irrigated or heavy soils. Alkaline soils typical of desert sites suit it. Brittle branches break under heavy snow or foot traffic. Root and crown rot occur in soils that stay wet. The plant drops its leaves in drought and releafs after rain, so bare periods are part of its normal cycle.Pruning
Light shaping can be done after flowering to remove broken or dead branches. The spine-tipped, brittle stems break easily, so cuts are made back to a live branch junction. Hard pruning is tolerated poorly and can leave open dead stubs.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons