Erythrostemon mexicanus, formerly Caesalpinia mexicana,[2] is a species of plant in the genus Erythrostemon, within the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include Mexican holdback,[3] Mexican caesalpinia, and tabachín del monte.[4] It is native to the extreme lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas[5] and to parts of Mexico: in the northeast and further south along the Gulf coast as well as the Pacific coast in Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and a small portion of Sinaloa.[6]
| Erythrostemon mexicanus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Genus: | Erythrostemon |
| Species: | E. mexicanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Erythrostemon mexicanus (A.Gray 1861) E. Gagnon & G. P. Lewis 2016
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| Natural range | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description
editMexican holdback is a small evergreen tree or large shrub, reaching a height of 3–4.6 m (9.8–15.1 ft) and a spread of 1.8–3 m (5.9–9.8 ft). Leaves are bipinnately-compound and dark green.[7] Each leaf has five to nine pinnae 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) in length.[8] Pinnae are composed of four to five leaflets[7] that are 1–2.5 cm (0.39–0.98 in) long and 0.7–1.3 cm (0.28–0.51 in) wide.[8] Yellow, slightly fragrant flowers are produced on 7.6–15.2 cm (3.0–6.0 in) terminal spikes[7] of 10 to 30.[4] Blooming takes place from February to July, often continuing to October. The fruit is a dehiscent tan or yellow seedpod 5.1–7.6 cm (2.0–3.0 in) in length.[7]
Uses
editMexican holdback is cultivated as an ornamental because of its showy flowers, lush,[4] fine-textured foliage, and drought tolerance.[9]
Ecology
editErythrostemon mexicanus is the host plant for the caterpillars of the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia).[10]
References
edit
- ^ "Caesalpinia mexicana A. Gray". TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2009-11-25.
- ^ "Erythrostemon mexicanus (Rose) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
- ^ "Caesalpinia mexicana A. Gray Mexican holdback". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
- ^ a b c Nokes, Jill (2001). How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (2 ed.). University of Texas Press. pp. 151–152. ISBN 978-0-292-75573-4.
- ^ "Mexican Caesalpinia, Mexican Poinciana". Benny Simpson's Texas Native Trees. Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ Little Jr., Elbert L. (1976). "Map 27, Caesalpinia mexicana". Atlas of United States Trees. Vol. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). US Government Printing Office. LCCN 79-653298. OCLC 4053799.
- ^ a b c d Irish, Mary (2008). Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest: Woody Plants for Arid Gardens. Timber Press. pp. 141–142. ISBN 978-0-88192-905-8.
- ^ a b Richardson, Alfred (1995). Plants of the Rio Grande Delta. University of Texas Press. pp. 103–104. ISBN 978-0-292-77070-6.
- ^ Gilman, Edward F (October 1999). "Caesalpinia mexicana Mexican Caesalpinia" (PDF). IFAS Extension. University of Florida. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
- ^ "Curve-winged Metalmark Emesis emesia (Hewitson, 1867)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
External links
edit- "Caesalpinia mexicana Mexican bird of paradise". Arid Plant List. University of Arizona. 2006-03-16. Archived from the original on 2009-12-21.