Erythrostemon mexicanus
Species of legume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Erythrostemon mexicanus, formerly Caesalpinia mexicana,[2] is a species of plant in the genus Erythrostemon, within the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include Mexican Bird of Paradise, 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: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Genus: | Erythrostemon |
| Species: | E. mexicanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrostemon mexicanus (A.Gray 1861) E. Gagnon & G. P. Lewis 2016 | |
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| Natural range | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description
Mexican 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
Mexican holdback is cultivated as an ornamental because of its showy flowers, lush,[4] fine-textured foliage, and drought tolerance.[9]
Ecology
Erythrostemon mexicanus is the host plant for the caterpillars of the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia).[10]
