Sandpaper Tree

A vital larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies including The Exclusive Host For Larvae And Adults Of The Anacua Tortoise Beetle (Coptocycla Texana), Sandpaper Tree (Ehretia anacua) is a semi-evergreen Texas tree native across the East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, and Texas Blackland Prairies. It features distinctive dark green, rough like sandpaper foliage. During Spring and Summer, the plant produces delightfully fragrant, white blooms. Flowering is followed by ornamental edible, yellow to red two-seeded berries that add seasonal interest. Yellowish orange fruit are sweet and good for jams. It plays a key ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including The Exclusive Host For Larvae And Adults Of The Anacua Tortoise Beetle (Coptocycla Texana). Blossoms attract honeybees. Fruits attract numerous birds and mammals. Best suited to clay, dry, loam, sand, and well drained, Sandpaper Tree adapts seamlessly to local soil conditions. It requires minimal supplemental water and tolerates dry spells with ease. It offers high deer resistance.