Erythrostemon mexicanus, formerly Caesalpinia mexicana, is a species of plant in the genus Erythrostemon, within the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include Mexican holdback, Mexican caesalpinia, and tabachín del monte. It is native to the extreme lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas 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.
Description
Mexican holdback is a small evergreen tree or large shrub, reaching a height of and a spread of . Leaves are bipinnately-compound and dark green. Each leaf has five to nine pinnae in length. Pinnae are composed of four to five leaflets that are long and wide. Yellow, slightly fragrant flowers are produced on terminal spikes of 10 to 30. Blooming takes place from February to July, often continuing to October. The fruit is a dehiscent tan or yellow seedpod in length.
Uses
Mexican holdback is cultivated as an ornamental because of its showy flowers, lush, fine-textured foliage, and drought tolerance.
Ecology
Erythrostemon mexicanus is the host plant for the caterpillars of the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia).
References
External links
Caesalpinieae
Plants described in 1862
Flora of the Rio Grande valleys
Trees of Hidalgo (state) Trees of Nuevo León Trees of San Luis Potosí Trees of Tamaulipas Trees of Veracruz Flora of the Sierra Madre Oriental Trees of Nayarit Trees of Jalisco Trees of Colima