Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa)
Description: Apache-plume is slender, upright, deciduous to semi-evergreen, multi-branched shrub, 2-6 ft. tall, with grayish-white, pubescent branches. A shrub with white flowers and silvery puffs of fruit heads borne at the tips of very dense, intertangled, twiggy, slender branches. Dark green leaves (silver beneath) contrast well with the loose clusters of fragile, white, apple-blossom-like flowers. Distinctive, pink, feathery plumes characterize the persistent fruit. These rather thick shrubs appear unkempt, but in full flower, their white petals are attractive against the dark foliage. Fruit clusters with feathery, purplish tails said to resemble Apache headdresses.
Family: Rosaceae
Synonym(s): Ponil
USDA Symbol: FAPA
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Water Use: Low
Light Requirements: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes: Apache plume is easy to grow and blooms the first year from seed. It is good for erosion control because of drought tolerance and aggressive seeding. It can, however, become too aggressive in optimum conditions. Cut the oldest woody stems to the ground to rejuvenate.
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.
