Common Name:

General Information

Eysenhardtia orthocarpa is a much-branched shrub or a small tree usually growing 2 - 5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southwestern N. America - Arizon to northwest Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa)

Habitat

Oak woodland, tropical deciduous woodland, dry woodland, grassland, often by the sides of streams and on hills, growing on rocky slopes and washes; at elevations from 730 - 1,550 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Eysenhardtia orthocarpa is native from the warm temperate zone of Arizona to the tropics of central Mexico. It is found in mainly sub-arid zones but experiences a mean annual rainfall that can be as low as 50mm but is usually within the range 400 - 1,750mm
Succeeds in full sun and in light shade. Found in the wild on limestone soils, on rocky granite slopes and on conglomerate soils[].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is febrifuge. It is used in the treatment of fevers[].
The wood steeped in water makes a sweet, refreshing drink, much relished by fever patients[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a good source of nectar and are relished by bees[, ].

Other Uses

The heartwood is reddish-brown, streaked with black; it is clearly demarcated from the yellow sapwood, The texture is rather fine, the grain close and moderately straight, texture is waxy. The wood is hard, heavy and durable, it takes a fine polish and finishes smoothly. Of rather good quality, but seldom available and then usually only in small pieces. It is used for making small items, particularly handles of tools[, ].
The wood is used in construction and to make poles for fences[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in spring in trays in light shade in a greenhouse. No presoaking is necessary, though 12 hours in warm water might speed up the process. Germination is best at daytime temperatures of 20 - 30°c with 12 hours of light each day, though it will also germinate in the dark at temperatures from 15 - 40°c[]. Be very careful with the seedlings, they are very susceptible to damping off. Pot up when seedlings have three sets of true leaves and plant out when around 15 - 25cm tall.
Seed can also be sown whilst still in the seedpods. The pods should be soaked for 72 hours prior to sowing, with the water being changed every 8 hours[].
Cuttings of soft or semi-hard wood, 10 - 15cm long, taken in the summer and early autumn. Cuttings tend to root in 3 - 4 weeks[].