Chisos Rosewood
Narrowleaf Vauquelinia, Vauquel Bush, Guauyul, Palo Prieto
Botanical name: Vauquelinia angustifolia
Family: Rosaceae
This is a terrific small evergreen tree that grows in the Trans-Pecos of West Texas, found in dense thickets in dry canyons at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Chisos rosewood has good landscape potential for much of Texas and the south. It has evergreen foliage with long narrow, sharply toothed, dark green leaves and dense clusters of fragrant, white flowers that cover the tree in the spring. Tan fruit capsules ripen in August. It does well in calcareous, alkaline soils as far north as Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the growers haven’t caught on to this great plant yet.
Habit: small tree
Exposure: sun
Flowers: white in spring to early summer
Fruit: tan capsules
Height: up to 20 ft.
Width: up to 30 ft.
Culture: High heat tolerance, drought resistant and can tolerate alkaline soils.
Soil Requirements: alkaline
Problems: susceptible to rose leaf spot in high humidity areas.
Notes: hard to find in the nursery industry.
