Species specifics: Hog plum

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Fast facts

A native shrub to South Texas, hog plum is also commonly known as Texas hog plum, Texas snakewood or Texas Colubrina.
Deciduous, heat-hardy, drought-tolerant woody plant in the buckthorn family easily recognized by its lanky branches and snakeskin-patterned bark.
Wildlife and livestock readily graze the shrub; however, some anecdotal reports suggest toxicity in sheep that heavily consume hog plum.
Because of its tendency to form dense thickets, combined with high disease resistance and drought tolerance, hog plum can readily outcompete desirable forages when left unchecked.

What to look for

Hog plum (Colubrina texensis), also known as Texas hog plum, Texas snakewood or Texas Colubrina, is a heat-hardy, drought-tolerant shrub in the buckthorn family recognized by its lanky branches and snakeskin-patterned bark.

Spreading 3 to 6 feet wide and of proportional height, this deciduous shrub can be described as lanky and sparsely branched with thin, twig-like branches that form a zigzag or twisting structure. Young twigs emerge hairy but become hairless as they mature. The bark is notably snakeskin patterned, with smooth gray wood and scaly brown markings along the trunk. Simple, oval, grayish-green, glossy leaves adorn the thin branches, which bloom small greenish-yellow flowers from May through July.

In late summer, green seed-capsuled fruits form that turn red to dark brown or black as they mature. These fruits are favored by numerous wildlife species, helping spread hog plum. Livestock will readily browse hog plum, and some anecdotal field reports indicate that sheep may be poisoned after ingesting fruits and seeds. owever, no adverse reactions have been reported in cattle or horses.

New plants can also be propagated from cuttings, making mechanical control often unsuccessful.

Hog plum tends to form dense thickets or hedges, is highly disease resistant and grows well in poor soils, including recently disturbed areas, allowing it to aggressively outcompete native forages and grasses.

Where it is found

A native species of South Texas and the east-central Texas plains, hog plum prefers arid climates and requires little water. The shrub thrives in a variety of soil types, including sand, loam, clay, limestone and caliche, as well as other well-drained, dry soils common in its native regions.

How to treat it

Individual plant treatment (IPT) is the most consistent method of control for hog plum. For soil applied applications any time of the year, apply Spike® 20P herbicide at 0.3 oz per 40 square feet. When using the Spike 20P canister, a single dose will administer approximately 0.3 oz per pull.

For foliar applications, apply Surmount® herbicide at 2% volume/volume along with an approved non-ionic surfactant at 0.25% volume/volume. Applications should be made after new leaf growth has matured. Thoroughly wet all foliage for the most consistent control.

Surmount® is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Surmount is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Spike® is a registered trademark of Nutrichem used under license. Always read and follow label directions.