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Texas Ebony

Ebenopsis ebano

Other common name(s):

Ebano, Black-bead Ebony, Ebony Ape's-earring

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Coastal Sand Plain, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

20
to
25
ft.

Spread

15
to
20
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Resistant to root rot; extremely drought-tolerant. Pre-treat seeds before sowing; scarify by nicking seeds then soaking in an acid or boiling water for 30 to 45 minutes. Early collection is recommended before weevil infestation. Dust seeds before storing at room temperature. Propagation: Seed.

Comments

Blooms June-August. Texas-ebony is a shrub or tree with a rounded, dense crown. Often multi-trunked. Dark green, twice-pinnate leaves on spiny branches. White blooms are followed by 4-6 in. seed pods which persist through the winter. Nectar for butterflies, beneficial insects. Nesting and cover. High protein seeds eaten by many wildlife. Larval Host: White Angled-Sulphur, Large Orange Sulphur Cassius Blue, Coyote Skipper.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Chloroleucon ebano, Mimosa ebano, Pithecellobium ebano, Pithecellobium flexicaule

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 52. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 336. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=EBEB. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11038&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=565147#null.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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