Scientific Family
Rutaceae
Synonyms
Thamnosma texanum
Other common names
Texas desert-rue
Dutchman's breeches
ruda del monte
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 1 foot
Riparian
No
A low plant with a woody base and thin, herbaceous stems. The leaves, stems, and fruits are all covered with tiny golden nodules that are aromatic when crushed.
Many stemmed herbaceous plant, other Thamnosma species is shrubby; leaves simple, fruit 2-lobed.
Habitat
Open and brushy areas in shallow soil over limestone; dry rocky meadows and slopes over limestone.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers small, 1/8 to 3/16 inch wide, arranged along the upper half of the stems.
Flower color
White, yellow, purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves small, narrow, up to 3/4 inch long by 1/16 inch wide and attached closely to the stem; leaves can be purple tinged; leaves, stems and fruit are gland-dotted, with a medicinal-spicy odor.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green, light green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
2 lobed capsule having an inflated appearance and giving rise to the name Dutchman's breeches.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Greenish, yellowish, reddish
Seeds are kidney shaped.