Karwinskia humboldkiana
Family: Rhamnaceae
Plant Description: Evergreen shrub to 2.3 m high with lanceolate-elliptic to elliptic or oval leaves 2-8 cm long. Leaves dark green with prominent veins beneath. Barks is smooth and gray. Flower in axillary clusters, the petals 1-1.5 mm long, greenish yellow.
Plant Trivia: Coyotes and chachalacas can eat the fruit. Possibly other mammals and birds may eat them. Reportedly affect the nervous system, causing paralysis in the limbs of humans and domestic animals
Field Identification:
Occurrence: Occurs on sand and clayey loams or caliche in brushy thickets. Known from west of Portland, Corpus Christi, King (Laurles0 Ranch, south of Kingsville, NW of Alice. Leaves and seeds are considered poisonous. Prefers dryer areas. Grows in association with Blackbrush and Guajillo communities.
Bloom Period: April-December
Plant Use: Little value for wildlife. In Mexico, historically, a medicine was reportedly made from the plant to treat fever. Can be used as an ornamental and landscape shrub.
stxflora 