Ebenopsis confinis (Standl.) Britton & Rose

Growth Form

Ebenopsis confinis is a stiffly branched, drought-deciduous, multi-stemmed large shrub that grows into a small tree, with a spreading crown.

Bark Characteristics

Its bark ranges in color from gray-brown to reddish brown; it is smooth when young and becomes scaly as it ages.

Twig and Spine Features

Twigs are moderately stout, and each leaf node bears a pair of 2 to 8 mm long stipular spines.

Leaf Structure

The leaves are small, alternate, and bipinnately compound.

Inflorescence Peduncles

Inflorescences develop from 1 to 3 peduncles per shoot, each peduncle measuring 3 to 8 mm long.

Flower Cluster Size

Flower clusters hold approximately 17 to 35 individual flowers.

Bract Characteristics

Bracts are obovate to cuneate or spatulate, 0.6 to 1 mm in size, and persist through anthesis.

Calyx Shape

The calyx is campanulate in shape.

Flower Appearance

Flowers are small, yellowish white, fragrant, and arranged in fluffy, pom-pom-like clusters.

Fruit Structure

The species' distinctive fruit is an oblong, woody-textured, blackish pod that contains 8 to 10 seeds.

Seed Dimensions

The seeds are large, measuring 11 to 16 mm long and 10 to 13 mm wide.

Endemic Range Core

Ebenopsis confinis is near-endemic to the Baja California Peninsula.

Baja California Distribution

It ranges from southeastern Baja California, in the area around Bahia de los Angeles, south to Baja California Sur, where it is locally abundant particularly on the Gulf of California slope and adjacent offshore islands.

Sonora Distribution

It also occurs along a stretch of coast in Sonora.

Habitat and Elevation

This plant grows on desert hillsides and in thin chaparral below 250 m elevation, most often along washes.