About Erythrostemon mexicanus (Rose) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis
Erythrostemon mexicanus (Rose) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis, commonly called Mexican holdback, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub. It reaches 3–4.6 m (9.8–15.1 ft) in height, with a spread of 1.8–3 m (5.9–9.8 ft). Its leaves are dark green and bipinnately-compound. Each leaf holds five to nine pinnae that measure 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) long. Each pinna is made up of four to five leaflets, which are 1–2.5 cm (0.39–0.98 in) long and 0.7–1.3 cm (0.28–0.51 in) wide. Slightly fragrant yellow flowers grow on 7.6–15.2 cm (3.0–6.0 in) terminal spikes, with 10 to 30 flowers per spike. Flowering occurs from February to July, and often continues through October. The fruit is a dehiscent tan or yellow seedpod that is 5.1–7.6 cm (2.0–3.0 in) long. Erythrostemon mexicanus acts as a host plant for caterpillars of the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia). It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, valued for its showy flowers, lush fine-textured foliage, and drought tolerance.
