Texan Hogplum: A Rare Native Shrub Worth Knowing About
Meet the Texan hogplum (Colubrina texensis var. pedunculata), a native shrub that’s about as exclusive as plants get in the gardening world. If you’ve never heard of this particular variety, you’re not alone – it’s one of those botanical gems that flies under the radar, even among native plant enthusiasts.
What Makes This Plant Special?
The Texan hogplum is a perennial shrub that belongs to the buckthorn family. True to its shrub nature, it’s a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically stays under 13-16 feet tall, making it a manageable size for most landscapes. What sets this variety apart is its native Texas roots – it’s as authentically Texan as they come.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
This native beauty calls Texas home, and Texas alone. It’s perfectly adapted to the Lone Star State’s unique climate and growing conditions, having evolved alongside the local ecosystem for countless generations.
The Challenge of Growing Texan Hogplum
Here’s where things get a bit tricky for eager gardeners. While the idea of growing a truly native Texas shrub sounds appealing, Colubrina texensis var. pedunculata presents some challenges:
- Limited availability in the nursery trade
- Scarce information about specific growing requirements
- Potentially specialized habitat needs
- Unknown propagation success rates
Should You Try Growing It?
The honest answer? Proceed with extreme caution and lots of research. This variety appears to be quite rare, and without clear growing guidelines or readily available plants, it’s not the best choice for most home gardeners.
If you’re determined to include native Texas shrubs in your landscape, consider looking into more readily available alternatives that offer similar benefits with better-documented care requirements. Your local native plant society or extension office can point you toward Texas natives that are both garden-worthy and easier to establish.
A Plant for Specialists
The Texan hogplum is likely best left to botanical gardens, native plant preservationists, and experienced gardeners with access to specialized knowledge and plant sources. If you do encounter this plant or have the opportunity to grow it, make sure any material is responsibly sourced and that you’re contributing to conservation rather than potentially impacting wild populations.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that remain a bit mysterious – and the Texan hogplum certainly fits that description. While it may not be destined for your backyard garden, knowing about native species like this one helps us appreciate the incredible diversity of plants that call Texas home.
