Ungnadia speciosa Endl.

Mexican buckeye
Texas buckeye
Texas-buckeye
canyon buckeye
Spanish buckeye
New Mexican buckeye
New Mexico buckeye
false buckeye
buckeye
monillo
monilla

More info for the term: cover

Mexican buckeye presumably provides cover for a variety of wildlife
species. Trees may also produce shade for domestic livestock.

More info for the terms: capsule, fruit, seed, shrub, tree

Mexican buckeye grows as an upright or spreading, multistemmed shrub or
small tree [19,23]. It commonly reaches 4 to 15 feet (1.2-4.6 m) in
height but on favorable sites can grow to 30 feet (9.5 m) with trunk
diameters of 10 inches (25.4 cm) [6,19,23]. Bark is a mottled light
gray to brown, with shallow fissures developing on old trunks [16,23].
Slender brown to orange, pubescent twigs become reddish-brown and
glabrous with age [23]. Some roots grow horizontally along the rock or
soil surface while others extend deep into the vertical face of soft
rock cliffs [19].

Leaves of Mexican buckeye are deciduous, alternate, and odd-pinnately
compound [17,18]. The three to seven ovate-lanceolate leaflets are
leathery with crenate-serrate margins [16,23]. The upper surface is
dark green and glabrous, whereas the lower surface is paler and
pubescent to glandular [23].

Small fragrant flowers are rose to purplish-pink and are borne in
clusters on bare stems [16,19,23]. Fruit is a woody, reddish-brown,
three-lobed pod or capsule 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) in diameter
[16,19]. The shiny, dark brown to black, rounded seeds average
approximately 0.4 to 0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) in diameter [16]. Seeds are
smooth, leathery and "buckeyelike" [17,19,23]. Each capsule generally
contains a single seed [23].

Mexican buckeye grows from the Edwards Plateau of south-central Texas
west to Trans-Pecos Texas, and into southern New Mexico and northeastern
Mexico [14].

More info for the terms: fire regime, natural, root crown, shrubs

Wright [24] notes that fires have historically been relatively
unimportant in the Chihuahuan Desert, which is dominated by shrubs
rather than grasses. Mexican buckeye often occurs in deciduous riparian
woodlands, which burn infrequently.

It is not known whether Mexican buckeye possesses specific adaptations
to fire. However, the majority of shrubs indigenous to southwestern
Texas sprout readily from the root crown after fire [10]. Mexican
buckeye coppices from the root crown after mechanical removal [19], and
postfire sprouting is possible. Natural seedling establishment is
extremely rare [19], but limited seedling establishment from off-site
sources may occur in unusually moist years.

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".

More info for the terms: cover, prescribed fire

Bock and Bock [3] report that prescribed fire is "difficult to manage
and potentially very destructive" in established riparian woodlands of
the Southwest. These relatively rare and fragile areas provide
important food and cover for desert wildlife [25]. Because browse and
cover are often limited in these areas, burning is not generally
recommended [25].

More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, phanerophyte

Undisturbed State: Phanerophyte (nanophanerophyte)
Undisturbed State: Phanerophyte (microphanerophyte)
Undisturbed State: Phanerophyte (mesophanerophyte)
Burned or Clipped State: Chamaephyte
Burned or Clipped State: Hemicryptophyte

More info for the term: grassland

Mexican buckeye grows on lower mountain slopes and foothills, in
arroyos, and along streambanks in valley bottoms [6,16,23]. It commonly
occurs on the exposed face or rim of chalk caprock cliffs and along
fractures or depressions in igneous or limestone outcrops [5,19].
Mexican buckeye is tolerant of full sun and thrives under drought
conditions [19]. It is commonly associated with deciduous riparian
woodlands, oak-juniper woodlands, and desert grassland communities
[5,7].

Plant associates: Common associates include Ashe juniper (Juniperus
ashei), netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata), live oak (Quercus
fusiformis), Lacey oak (Q. glaucoides), Texas persimmon (Diospyros
texana), black walnut (Juglans nigra), bumelia (Bumelia lanuginosa), and
black cherry (Prunus serotina) [1].

Soils: Mexican buckeye typically grows on well-drained calcareous
soils [19,22,23].

Elevation: In Trans-Pecos Texas, Mexican buckeye grows from 1,000 to
6,500 feet (305-1,981 m) in elevation [16].

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

66 Ashe juniper - redberry (Pinchot) juniper
68 Mesquite
239 Pinyon - juniper
242 Mesquite

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES32 Texas savanna
FRES33 Southwestern shrubsteppe
FRES35 Pinyon - juniper

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: shrub

K059 Trans-Pecos shrub savanna
K086 Juniper - oak savanna
K087 Mesquite - oak savanna

More info for the term: root crown

The effects of fire on Mexican buckeye have not been well documented.
Aboveground portions of the plant are presumably killed by fire.
However, postfire survival of the root crown is possible, if not likely.

More info for the term: fruit

Mexican buckeye is seldom browsed by domestic livestock except during
periods of food scarcity [6,23]. Fruit and leaves contain the toxic
alkaloid saponin which is poisonous to livestock [6]. Mexican buckeye
may be responsible for occasional losses of cattle and goats in parts of
southern New Mexico [6].

Seeds are eaten by insects and some small mammals after they fall to the
ground [19].

Mexican buckeye has not been listed as a dominant or indicator in
published classification schemes.

More info for the terms: shrub, tree

Tree, Shrub

More info for the terms: fruit, tree

Toxicity: The sweet seeds of Mexican buckeye taste like pistachio nuts
and were formerly considered as a potential human food source [19].
Stanford [19] and his colleagues reportedly consumed up to 20 seeds
without suffering ill effects. However, results of laboratory tests
with rats soon put an end to these culinary experiments. Rats which had
ingested Mexican buckeye seeds soon exhibited numerous signs of both
neurological and organ damage and most died within 3 weeks [19]. Seeds
can cause dizziness, nausea, and abdominal discomfort in humans [6,16].

Spider infestations: Fruit of Mexican buckeye is commonly infested with
spiders [19]. Where infestations occur, seeds may be "glued" to the
capsules by web-building activities and commonly remain on the tree
until the following spring. On the average, approximately 10 percent of
all fruit is infested [19].

Nutritional value of Mexican buckeye foliage has been documented as
follows [8]:

(percentage composition - dry weight)

Protein Ether Crude N-free H2O Ash Potash Lime Magnesia Phosphoric
extract fiber extract acid
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.03 2.20 21.94 51.19 6.62 6.02 1.39 3.17 0.54 0.36

NM TX MEXICO

More info for the term: tree

Mexican buckeye can be planted as a shade tree or as an ornamental in
landscaping [6,20]. It is attractive when either planted alone or
intermixed with other species [20]. Fragrant, showy flowers enhance its
attractiveness during the spring [19,23]. Mexican buckeye can be
trained as a hedge, planted onto berms of earth-covered homes, and used
as a "display thicket shrub" [19]. Flowers provide nectar for honey
bees, and it is considered a good honey plant [22].

Children of west Texas reportedly use the round seeds of Mexican buckeye
as playing marbles [23]. However, in view of its toxicity to rats in
laboratory studies, this use should probably be discouraged.

Mexican buckeye browse is relatively unpalatable to domestic livestock.
The sweet-tasting seeds [16] are readily eaten by a variety of small
mammals [19].

More info on this topic.

More info for the term: fruit

Mexican buckeye flowers approximately 10 days after buds first appear
[19]. In Trans-Pecos Texas, flowering occurs from March to June [16].
Leaves develop soon after the flowers [19]. Fruit ripens in July [19]
or as late as August or October [23]. Fruit turns dark brown in the fall
and unopened capsules may persist through the winter [19]. Plants
become dormant within 2 weeks of the first frost or at leaf fall [19].

More info for the term: seed

The response of Mexican buckeye to fire is not well known. Plants
coppice readily after mechanical removal [19], and a similar response is
possible after fire. Establishment of some seed from off-site may occur
in years of unusually abundant summer and fall rainfall. However,
seedling establishment is extremely rare under ordinary conditions [19].

More info for the terms: caudex, root crown, seed

survivor species; on-site surviving root crown or caudex
off-site colonizer; seed carried by animals or water; postfire yr 1&2

More info for the terms: fruit, natural, seed, tree

Mexican buckeye reproduces through seed or by vegetative means. However,
seedlings are rarely observed under natural conditions [19].

Seed: Mexican buckeye first flowers during the 3rd year when plants
have reached approximately 2 to 3.5 feet (0.6-1.1 m) in height [19].
Each plant produces an abundance of seed annually. Some seed falls from
the plant when fruit first ripens in the fall. However, some fruit may
persist on the tree through winter [19,22].

Seedlings grow well in full sun on warm, damp soil. Those grown in even
partial shade may appear stunted and eventually die. Conditions
necessary for seedling establishment, such as warm, but moist soil and
full sun, may be rare in the desert Southwest. Seedling establishment
generally occurs only in years with unusually abundant late summer and
early fall rainfall. During the course of an 8-year study, Stanford
[19] observed Mexican buckeye seedlings in only 1 year. Under optimum
greenhouse conditions, germination rates can exceed 95 percent [19].
Seedling emergence by planting date has been documented as follows [19]:

date collected date of color 1st yr.
and planted emergence of seed development

6/14 8/2 green stunted
6/21 7/28 green stunted
6/28 7/22 green stunted
7/6 7/24 faint brn. patch stunted
7/13 7/28 dark brn. patch weak
7/20 8/3 mostly dark brn. good
7/27 8/9 fully brown good
8/3 8/18 fully brown good
8/10 8/22 fully brown good
8/17 8/30 fully brown good
8/24 9/9 fully brown good
8/31 9/18 fully brown good

Vegetative regeneration: Mexican buckeye coppices readily [19]. Plants
cut to ground level at 4- or 5-year intervals retain good vigor and
growth [19].

More info on this topic.

This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

7 Lower Basin and Range
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
14 Great Plains

More info on this topic.

More info for the terms: climax, grassland, woodland

Mexican buckeye grows in a number of riparian woodland communities.
These woodlands generally represent climax or "postclimax" communities
[4]. Little is known about the successional role of Mexican buckeye in
oak-juniper woodlands or in desert grassland communities.

The currently accepted scientific name of Mexican buckeye is Ungnadia
speciosa Endl. [11]. Mexican buckeye is placed in the monotypic genus
Ungnadia [6] within the family Sapindaceae [11].

Wood of the Mexican buckeye is reddish-brown, soft, brittle, and close
grained [23]. Sapwood is lighter in color [23]. Plants can be cut back
regularly for firewood [19].

Ungnadia speciosa là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Bồ hòn. Loài này được Endl. miêu tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1833.

Международное научное название

Ungnadia Endl., 1835

Единственный вид
Систематика
на Викивидах
Изображения
на Викискладе ITIS 28710NCBI 124991EOL 581624GRIN g:40871IPNI 785564-1TPL tro-28600581

Унгнадия прекрасная (лат. Ungnadia speciosa) — листопадные деревья, вид монотипного рода Унгнадия (Ungnadia) семейства Сапиндовые (Sapindaceae).

Распространение и экология

В диком виде произрастает в США (штаты Техас и Нью-Мехико) и на севере Мексики. Натурализировано повсеместно.^[2]

Растёт по долинам рек и известковым склонам.

Ботаническое описание

Кустарники или деревья высотой до 10 м. Побеги с серым или желтоватым опушением, позже оголяющиеся, тёмно-коричневые, почти чёрные.

Листья очерёдные, напарноперистые, длиной 11—30 см, шириной 12—20 см; листочки в числе 5—7 (до 9) пар, от продолговато-яйцевидных до яйцевидно-ланцетных, длиной 6—10 см, на верхушке оттянутые, с округлым основанием, неправильно-пильчатые, сверху блестящие, тёмно-зелёные, снизу светло-зелёные, боковые почти сидячие, конечные на черешке.

Цветки обоеполые или тычиночные, зигоморфные, диаметром около 2,5 см, розовые, в ложных, боковых зонтиках; цветоножки длиной 3—5 см. Чашечка спайнолистная, из 4—5 чашелистиков; лепестков 4—5; тычинок 7—10, обычно 8; завязь на ножке, 3-гнездная, с двумя семяпочками в каждом гнезде, в тычиночных цветках рудиментная; столбик нитевидный.

Плод — коробочка, широко грушевидная, диаметром около 5 см, обычно с одним семенем в гнезде. Семена обратнояйцевидные или почти шаровидные, диаметром около 1,5 см, блестящие.

Цветёт апреле — мае. Плодоносит в октябре.

Примечания

Унгнадия прекрасная (лат. Ungnadia speciosa) — листопадные деревья, вид монотипного рода Унгнадия (Ungnadia) семейства Сапиндовые (Sapindaceae).