Mexican buckeye
ExplorePlants
Mexican buckeye
Ungnadia speciosa
The Mexican buckeye is a lovely shrub with beautiful pink flowers and shiny seeds. It grows in warm areas and is a favorite among butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Mexican buckeye has showy clusters of fragrant, crinkled pink flowers that emerge before its shiny, bright green leaves. Its distinctive reddish-brown seed capsules split open to reveal three shiny, dark brown seeds that resemble true buckeyes.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusUngnadia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, it's not a true buckeye, but a close cousin!
Its shiny seeds are sometimes polished to make pretty necklaces.
The scientific name, Ungnadia, honors a German ambassador!
This tough plant can live for many, many years in the wild.
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Survivor
Mexican buckeye can survive long dry spells thanks to its deep root system that finds water far below ground.
Ability
Seed Armor
Its hard, woody seed pods split open to release seeds, protecting them until conditions are just right for dispersal.
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
The Mexican buckeye produces fragrant, nectar-rich pink flowers, acting like a beacon to attract busy bees and butterflies.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 400-600 cm
- Spread
- 300-500 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Common Eastern bumble bee
Bombus impatiens
Helps carry pollen between its lovely pink blossoms.
pollinates
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
Attracted to the bright flowers for sweet nectar.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Don't eat the seeds, as they can be harmful. Always look but don't touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Mexican buckeye?
400-600 cm
How wide does Mexican buckeye spread?
300-500 cm
How big are the flowers on Mexican buckeye?
1-2 cm
When does Mexican buckeye bloom?
Spring
Is Mexican buckeye edible?
No
Is Mexican buckeye toxic?
High
What is Mexican buckeye's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Mexican buckeye pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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