Kidneywood

A vital larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies including Southern Dogface and Dogface Butterfly, Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana) is a deciduous Texas shrub native across the Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, and Texas Blackland Prairies. During Spring, Summer, and Fall, the plant produces delightfully fragrant, white blooms. Flowering is followed by ornamental legume that add seasonal interest. It is very palatable and is readily grazed by white-tailed deer and goats. It plays a key ecological role as a larval host plant for Central Texas butterflies, including Southern Dogface and Dogface Butterfly. Flowers attract bees and butterflies. Thriving in caliche, clay, dry, loam, sand, and well drained, Kidneywood demonstrates outstanding hardiness once established. It requires minimal supplemental water and tolerates dry spells with ease.