Texas Kidneywood
Eysenhardtia texana
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © catojan (iNaturalist #26065980)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Eysenhardtia
- Species:
- Eysenhardtia texana
- USDA Symbol:
- EYTE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Atteva aurea, Grapeleaf skeletonizer (Harrisina americana), Lophocampa annulosa Butterflies:Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon istapa), Queen butterfly (Danaus gilippus), Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; typical of Texas Hill Country brushland fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained calcareous soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to limestone-rich areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may benefit from hot water treatment or mechanical scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI