Whitebrush
Common Beebush, Palo Amarillo, Cedron, Poleo, Cedron del Monte, Niña
Aloysia gratissima (Gill. & Hook.) Troncoso var. gratissima
Whole plant
Family : Verbenaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin : Native
Season : Warm
Whitebrush is a resprouting shrub of the South Texas Plains. It can grow in dense thickets under mesquite trees. The thickets are sometimes impassible to everything except feral hogs. Whitebrush can reach a height of 4 to 8 feet. The leaves are small and narrow, measuring 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches long. The small, white flowers bloom intermittenly from March to November. Whitebrush is occasionally browsed by cattle, goats and white-tailed deer, but usually only during times of stress. It is toxic to horses, mules and burros causing nervousness, emaciation, weakness and possibly death. The pollen is used by bees and butterflies, and the dense growth provides cover for birds and small mammals.
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