Fallugia paradoxa is a very variable plant that grows in diverse habitats from desert scrub to woodlands. Throughout its range, plants exhibit considerable variation in underground structures, and lobing and indument of leaves, bracts, and epicalyx. In sandy drainages, it is commonly rhizomatous and colonial; in upland sites, it is not rhizomatous. Lobing of sepal tips and epicalyx bracts shows considerable variation on individuals and to some extent regionally. Lobes are more consistently found in plants from Texas and northern Mexico[].

Common Name: Apache Plume

General Information

Fallugia paradoxa is a deciduous shrub producing rhizomes in sandy soils; it produces from 1 - 20 or more stems, usually growing around 100 - 200cm tall, occasionally up to 350cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

South-western N. America - California, Nevada, Utah, Colarado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, northern Mexico.

Habitat

Dry sun-baked rocky hills[]. Desert scrub in sandy to rocky (rarely clay) drainages, or sandy-loamy to rocky uplands in grasslands, chaparral, pinyon-oak, juniper, or ponderosa pine woodlands; at elevations from 200 - 2,800 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Fallugia paradoxa is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c, or perhaps a bit lower, especially if the soil is dry[, ].
Requires a position in full sun in a perfectly drained soil with shelter from cold winds and protection from prolonged frosts[], it is best grown against a south-facing wall[]. Succeeds in a hot dry position[]. Established plants have good drought tolerance[].Tolerates calcareous soils[]. Dislikes winter wet[].
The plant has a moderate to good tolerance of fire, usually sprouting vigorously from root suckers after top-kill by fire[].
The plant is polygamodioecious. Flowers on any plant are all male or all female, or mainly male with the terminal flower bisexual[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This species can have an extensive root system and has been planted in sandy soils for erosion control[]. It is especially valuable under arid or semi-arid conditions[].

Other Uses

A source of oilseed[]. The seed may be a possible source of oil and protein for industrial raw material since the protein content is 30.6% and oil content is 36.8%[].

A rinse made from the steeped leaves is used as a hair rinse to promote growth of the hair[, ].

The branches have been tied together to make a broom for outdoor use[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse in the autumn[]. Fresh seed germinates in five days at 20 - 26°c, with an average germination rate of 30 - 40%. Because seedlings dampen off easily, good air circulation is necessary[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].