Trees 4–6(–20) m, with rounded crown. Stems gray-ochre, with few horizontal lenticels; bark with vertical fissures. Leaves: stipules persistent, to 1 cm; petiole to 0.7–1.5 cm, glabrous; rachis to 1 cm; pinna rachis 2–3.5 cm, with cylindric, elevated gland between pin­nae; leaflet blades oblong to rhombic-oblong, 5–12 × 2.5–8 mm, base oblique to semicordate, apex rounded. Peduncles 2–6 grouped, ebracteate, pubescent. Spikes: axis 2–5 cm, pubescent; bract triangular, 0.5 mm, pubescent abaxially. Flowers: calyx 1 mm; corolla campanulate, 4–5 mm, 4–6-lobate, glabrescent; stamens white or cream, staminal tube to 5 mm; ovary subsessile, to 1.5 mm, glabrous. Legumes falcate, 11–13.5(–22) × 2.5–3 cm, base rounded, apex cuspidate with recurved beak to 5 mm, valves woody, smooth, surface cracking with age into a mosaic like pattern, sometimes with few verruca; mesocarp well developed, endocarp forming pithy septa between seeds, without visible margin. Seeds maroon, 17–22.5 × 9–13 mm, pleurogram closed, testa thin.

Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Roadside thickets, scrub.
Elevation: 0–150 m.

Distribution

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Tex., Mexico (Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Yucatán).

Discussion

Ebenopsis ebano is found in southern Texas and is cultivated in the southeastern United States as an ornamental. The wood of this species is extremely hard.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.