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Ebenopsis ebano (Texas ebony)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Ebenopsis ebano (Berl.) Barneby & Grimes

Texas ebony, Ebano

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonyms: Pithecellobium flexicaule, Pithecellobium ebano

USDA Symbol: EBEB

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Texas-ebony is a 25-30 ft. shrub or tree with a rounded, dense crown. Dark green, twice-pinnate leaves are borne from spiny branches. White blooms are followed by 4-6 in. seed pods which persist through the winter.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Size Notes: 25-30
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: S. TX south through e. Mex. to Yucatan
Native Habitat: Low woods of the Coastal Plain
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Often multi-trunked, Texas ebony might look brushy until quite old or pruned. Provides heavy shade when full grown; is resistant to root rot; and is extremely drought-tolerant.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Larva host for Coyote Coudwings.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Host plant for the Coyote Cloudwing, Achalarus toxeus and Sphingicampa blanchardi.

Propagation

Description: Pre-treat seeds before sowing.
Seed Collection: Although pods are persistent, early collection is recommended before weevil infestation. Dust seeds before storing at room temperature.
Seed Treatment: Scarifiy nicking the seeds, soaking in concentrated sulfuric acid up to 90 minutes, or soaking in boiling water for 30-45 minutes.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ebenopsis ebano in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ebenopsis ebano in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ebenopsis ebano

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-04-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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