Sambucus mexicana
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sambucus mexicana is a species of deciduous shrub or tree[2] in the family Viburnaceae native to northern Mexico and southwestern USA.[1]
| Sambucus mexicana | |
|---|---|
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| Sambucus mexicana growing in the UNLV Arboretum, USA | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Viburnaceae |
| Genus: | Sambucus |
| Species: | S. mexicana |
| Binomial name | |
| Sambucus mexicana C.Presl ex DC.[1] | |
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It is native to northern Mexico and southwestern USA[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Description
Vegetative characteristics
Sambucus mexicana is a 2–8 m tall,[3] rounded, multi-trunked,[4] short lived,[5] deciduous shrub or tree[2] with green,[6] pinnate leaves composed of 5–9 oppositely arranged,[2] glabrous to pubescent, elliptic to ovate leaflets[3] with a serrate margin.[5] The gray to dark brown bark is ridged and irregularly furrowed.[5] The soft wood is coarse-grained.[7]
Generative characteristics
The flat, 4–33 cm wide inflorescence without a dominant central axis[3] bears white to cream,[5] entomophilous flowers.[7] The glaucous berries[3] are dark blue or black.[6]
Cytology
The chromosome count is 2n = 36.[3]
Taxonomy
It was described in 1830 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle based on previous work by Carl Borivoj Presl.[8][9]
Habitat Distribution
Sambucus mexicana is native to the United States (California, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona)[10] and Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua).[1] Often situated in wetlands adjacent to rivers, scrublands, and woodlands. Due to the adaptability of the plant, it is both dry and moist tolerant and often thrives with a consistent water source.[10]
Uses
Sambucus mexicana is used by several indigenous tribes in California, like Acjachemen Indians of San Juan Capistrano, California, and is an important plant for them.[11] For the Acjachemen people, it is known as the “tree of music,” for the construction of wood to develop into clapper sticks, a percussive instrument.[11]
