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Flaigg, Norman G.

Lygodesmia texana (Torr. & Gray) Greene

Texas skeletonplant, Texas skeleton weed, Skeleton-plant, Purple dandelion

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: LYTE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Texas skeleton weed grows 12–15 inches tall, with smooth, almost leafless stems. Its few leaves are at the base of the plant and are narrow, gray-green, with short lobes. The bare stems, growing at odd angles, suggest its common name. The flower heads, rose to lavender and 2 inches across, grow singly at the end of flower stems. Only 1 flower head blooms at a time on each slender, forking stem. The bracts form a tube about 1 inch long, and the flower head extending from it opens out almost flat. It has 12 ray flowers and orchid-colored disc flowers that curl toward the center. Each ray has 5 minute teeth at the tip. When the stems are broken, they exude sap which coagulates into a gum.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Margin: Laciniate
Size Notes: 12-15 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: NM , OK , TX
Native Habitat: Found on Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande plains, and the Panhandle. Well-drained limestone soils.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Skeleton plant gains its common name from its minimal foliage. What leaves it does have are so unobtrusive as to make the stems appear bony and twiggy. Do not overwater it or allow it to be overcrowded by other plants in the garden. Many butterflies use it as a nectar source.
Texas comments: Skeleton plant gains its common name from its minimal foliage. What leaves it does have are so unobtrusive as to make the stems appear bony and twiggy. Do not overwater it or allow it to be overcrowded by other plants in the garden.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Commercially Avail: yes
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From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Bibliography

Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Lygodesmia texana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lygodesmia texana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lygodesmia texana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-06-26
Research By: TWC Staff

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