Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © newmexjeff (iNaturalist #118580605)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Fallugia
- Species:
- Fallugia paradoxa
- USDA Symbol:
- FAPA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Neumoegen's buckmoth (Hemileuca neumoegeni)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) Butterflies:Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire; common in fire-adapted desert scrub communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid, desert-like conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Removal of styles may increase germination rates. No stratification required. Wet tumbling may be beneficial for imbibition and/or leaching of germination inhibitors.
Establishment: Germination rates and temperatures vary slightly between studies. Collection of seeds should commence when the pink styles begin to fade and the achenes turn reddish. Seeds are stripped from branches by hand in May or June when the first flush of fruits ripen.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.