Virginia Tech Dendrology

Texas madrone Ericaceae Arbutus xalapensis Kunth symbol: ARXA80
Leaf: Alternate, evergreen, simple, broadly ovate, 2 to 4 inches long, entire margins, leathery, shiny green above, somewhat paler and (sometimes) pubescent beneath.
Flower: Perfect, urn-shaped, 1/4 inch long, white to pink, borne in clusters up to 3 inches long that appear early in the growing season.
Fruit: Small (1/4 inch), orange-red, berry-like drupes with pebbly skins, mature in late summer.
Twig: Stout, initially light green but turning orange-red to red-brown with time; buds broadly ovate and light red to reddish brown, with large imbricate scales.
Bark: Very attractive, with old dark bark exfoliating to reveal smooth new bark that ranges in color from light orange-pink to dark red.
Form: A small, often multi-trunk tree with a round crown, to 30 feet.
Looks like: Arizona madrone - Pacific madrone

Additional Range Information: Arbutus xalapensis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information