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Description
Leavenworthia Texana, also known as the Texas gladecress, is a small flowering plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is native to the south-central United States, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma. The plant is named after Melines Conklin Leavenworth, a 19th-century American botanist.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Angiospermae |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Leavenworthia |
Appearance
Leavenworthia Texana is a small annual plant that usually grows up to 10-25 cm tall. It has basal leaves that form a rosette and stem leaves that are alternate and pinnately lobed. The flowers are small and yellow, with four petals and six stamens. It blooms from March to May, and the fruit is a long, narrow capsule that contains numerous small seeds.
Care Guide
Leavenworthia Texana is a hardy plant that can grow in a wide range of conditions. Here are some tips on how to care for this plant:- Water: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.- Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.- Soil: The plant prefers well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.- Sunlight: Leavenworthia Texana needs full sun to partial shade to thrive.- Hardiness Zones: The plant can grow in zones 5 to 9.
Common Pests & Diseases
Leavenworthia Texana is generally pest and disease-free. However, it can be susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. These can be prevented by ensuring good air circulation around the plant and avoiding overhead watering.
Habitat
Leavenworthia Texana is native to the southern Great Plains region of the United States, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma. It is commonly found in grasslands, prairies, and open woodlands, growing in sandy or rocky soils.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Leavenworthia Texana an easy plant to grow?
A: Yes, it is a hardy plant that can grow in a wide range of conditions.
Q: What is the blooming period of Leavenworthia Texana?
A: It blooms from March to May.
Q: Does Leavenworthia Texana require full sun?
A: Yes, it needs full sun to partial shade to thrive.
Q: What is the preferred soil pH for Leavenworthia Texana?
A: The plant prefers well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
Related Plants
– Leavenworthia Torulosa- Leavenworthia Crassa- Leavenworthia Intermedia
References
– “Leavenworthia Texana.” USDA PLANTS Database. Accessed 22 September 2021. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=LETE- “Leavenworthia Texana.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed 22 September 2021. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LETE
