Erythrostemon mexicanus explained

Erythrostemon mexicanus, formerly Caesalpinia mexicana,^[1] is a species of plant in the genus Erythrostemon, within the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include Mexican holdback,^[2] Mexican caesalpinia, and tabachín del monte.^[3] It is native to the extreme lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas^[4] 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.^[5]

Description

Mexican holdback is a small evergreen tree or large shrub, reaching a height of 3- and a spread of 1.8-. Leaves are bipinnately-compound and dark green.^[6] Each leaf has five to nine pinnae 4- in length.^[7] Pinnae are composed of four to five leaflets^[6] that are 1- long and 0.7- wide.^[7] Yellow, slightly fragrant flowers are produced on 7.6- terminal spikes^[6] of 10 to 30.^[3] Blooming takes place from February to July, often continuing to October. The fruit is a dehiscent tan or yellow seedpod 5.1- in length.^[6]

Uses

Mexican holdback is cultivated as an ornamental because of its showy flowers, lush,^[3] fine-textured foliage, and drought tolerance.^[8]

Ecology

Erythrostemon mexicanus is the host plant for the caterpillars of the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia).^[9]

External links

• Web site: Caesalpinia mexicana Mexican bird of paradise . Arid Plant List . University of Arizona . 2006-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091221035329/http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Caesalpinia_mexicana.html . 2009-12-21 . dead .

Notes and References

1. Erythrostemon mexicanus (Rose) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis. 60473357-2. 10 November 2022.
2. Web site: Caesalpinia mexicana A. Gray Mexican holdback . PLANTS Database . United States Department of Agriculture . 2009-12-03.
3. Book: Nokes, Jill . How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest . 2 . University of Texas Press . 2001 . 978-0-292-75573-4 . 151–152.
4. Web site: Mexican Caesalpinia, Mexican Poinciana . Benny Simpson's Texas Native Trees . Texas A&M University . 2009-01-28.
5. Book: Little Jr., Elbert L.. Atlas of United States Trees. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). 1976. US Government Printing Office. 79-653298. 4053799. https://archive.org/details/atlasofunitedsta1314litt/page/n69/mode/2up. Map 27, Caesalpinia mexicana.
6. Book: Irish, Mary . Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest: Woody Plants for Arid Gardens . Timber Press . 2008 . 978-0-88192-905-8 . 141–142.
7. Book: Richardson, Alfred . Plants of the Rio Grande Delta . University of Texas Press . 1995 . 978-0-292-77070-6 . 103–104.
8. Web site: Caesalpinia mexicana Mexican Caesalpinia . PDF . Edward F . Gilman . IFAS Extension . University of Florida . October 1999 . 2010-11-23.
9. Web site: Curve-winged Metalmark Emesis emesia (Hewitson, 1867) . Butterflies and Moths of North America . 2009-11-29.