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Project Noah Nature School
Aloysia gratissima
A fragrant, slender, erect shrub to 10 ft. with squarish stems, generally light gray bark, often forming thickets. Leaves opposite on stems, up to 1 inch long by 5/16 inch wide but often smaller. Flowers fragrant with vanilla-scent, small, white, crowded on spikes up to 3 inches long and extending above the leaves, from March to November, especially after rains.
Sandy soil, rocky and gravelly slopes and limestone bluffs, chaparral, arroyos of Trans-Pecos area. Drought tolerant, grows on poor soils in full sun; it can adapt to richer soil (even poorly drained) and shade, but will flower best in full sun. Prefers moist soil.
Honey plant (attracts bees). Also provides browse and cover for wildlife. Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Cover, Nesting site. It is toxic to horses, mules and burros.
Spotted on Oct 16, 2012
Submitted on Oct 21, 2012
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