Texas Wildbuds
Phaulothamnus spinescens
(Snake-eyes)
Phaulothamnus spinescens, Falcon State Park, Starr Co. 4263
Phaulothamnus spinescens, Falcon State Park, Starr Co. 4276
Phaulothamnus spinescens, Falcon State Park, Starr Co. 4266
Phaulothamnus spinescens, Falcon State Park, Starr Co. 4270
| Scientific Name | Phaulothamnus spinescens | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PHSP2 |
| Common Name | Snake-eyes, Devilqueen | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 504294 |
| Family | Achatocarpaceae (Achatocarpus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry, sandy to clayey soils; thickets, wooded areas. Plant: Erect shrub up 8 ft. tall; multiple spreading branches with spines. Leaves: Deciduous, alternate, spatulate to oblanceolate, 1-3/8 inches long and 1/2-inch wide; sessile or on very short petioles. Inflorescence: Clusters of up to 12 small yellow-green flowers; each flower with 4 concave tepals or calyx segments, nearly round or obovate, 2.5 mm long; 12 yellow stamens and 2 stigmas. Bloom Period: August and September. Fruit: Gray-translucent to white berries tinged with green, about 0.2 inches in diameter; black seed visible inside through berry wall. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, iNaturalist and Flora of North America |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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