Texas Ebony
Ebenopsis ebano
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © vickycervantes (iNaturalist #32636115)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Ebenopsis
- Species:
- Ebenopsis ebano
- USDA Symbol:
- EBEB
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1524 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- cream, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Antaeotricha haesitans, Blanchard's Prominent Moth (Syssphinx blanchardi), Ithome edax, navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), Saturnia galbina, Syssphinx quadrilineata, Large Orange Sulphur (Phoebis agarithe)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) Butterflies:Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius), Clytie hairstreak (Ministrymon clytie), Reakirt's Blue (Echinargus isola)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) followed by warm stratification to break physical dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI