WoodWorld

In Mexico, the seeds from the pods are eaten, and the black wood shells are roasted as a coffee substitute in the past. The attractive, shorttrunk of Texas Ebony is covered with smooth, grey bark. It makes a nice medium-sized shade tree.

There are two slightly different names for this species: Pithecolobium or Pithecellobium which is Greek for monkey and ear-ring. It is known as Texas Ebony, Mexican Ebony, False Acacia, or Ebony Blackbead. Flowers generally occur at the ends of branches. The leaves are small, dark green, bi-pinnate (compound), arranged on a 1 inch to 2 inch long stems. Leaves fold up at night or in subdued light.

Height: Up to about 30 feet.
Flowers: Dense, plume-like spikes of very fragrant, light yellow to white blossoms at the ends of branches. Enjoyed by bees.
Blooming Time: June to August.
Stems/Trunks : An attractive gray smooth trunk; the stems have small curved thorns.
Leaves: The leaves are small, dark green, bi-pinnate (compound), arranged on a 1 inch to 2 inch long stems. Leaves fold up at night or in subdued sunlight.
Seed Pod: A dark brown to black, woody seed capsule four to six inches long, maturing in mid to late summer. hanging on till late spring the next year. Seeds are dark red - brown.
Elevation: 0 - 3000 Feet.
Habitat: Low elevation landscaping in Arizona. Native to Texas and Mexico.

Works and Machines Well. Heart wood is a deep chocolate brown with darker almost black grain. Sap Wood is cream colored.

Most pieces have some sap and like Mesquite most pieces have some wind checking or insect holes.

Wood is very dense and tight grained and polishes well.