Leucophyllum
Leucophyllum (barometer bush or barometerbush) is a genus of evergreen shrubs in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is sometimes placed in the family Myoporaceae. The dozen-odd species are often called "sages", although they have no relationship to the genus "Salvia".

The solitary axillary flowers are bell- or funnel-shaped, with five lobes and two lips, and colors ranging from white to magenta to purple. The generic name is derived from the Greek words λευκός ("leukos"), meaning "white," and φυλλον ("phyllos"), meaning "leaf," referring to the trichome-covered foliage.

These shrubs are found in sandy soils and have a high salt tolerance. They have become popular for edge and area plantings in warmer areas and in xeriscaping; they require minimal water, are easily shaped into hedges, and bloom over their entire surface. Cultivars of "L. frutescens", "L. candidum,
"L. laevigatum", "L. langmaniae", "L. pruinosum", "L. revolutum", and "L. zygophyllum" have been developed.

"Leucophyllum" shrubs are legendary for their ability to "forecast" rain, usually blooming several days prior to a rainstorm, apparently in response to humidity. They are sometimes called "barometer bush" for this reason. It is believed to be a survival trait in the plants' semi-desert habitats.
Q190489
evergreen
Concept
Q42295
shrub
Concept
Q53470
figwort
Concept
Q53473
Scrophulariaceae
Concept
Q858847
southwestern United States
LOC
Q96
Mexico
LOC
Q3331476
Myoporaceae
Concept
Q157151
Salvia
Concept
Q9129
Greek
Concept
Q33971
leaf
Concept
Q34679
sand
Concept
Q36133
soil
Concept
Q332788
salt tolerance
Concept
Q2706851
xeriscaping
Concept
Q235779
hedge
Concept
Q4886
Cultivar
Concept
Q2355636
L. frutescens
Concept
None
L. candidum
UNK
None
L. laevigatum
UNK
Q15594823
L. langmaniae
Concept
None
L. pruinosum
UNK
None
L. revolutum
UNK
None
L. zygophyllum
UNK
Q79757
barometer
Concept
Q2702896
Leucophyllum
Concept
Q2702896
Leucophyllum
Concept
parent taxon
parent taxon
taxonomic type