PlantFiles: Tenaza, Apes-Earring, Huajillo, Guajillo, Mimosa bush
Havardia pallens

San Antonio, Tx.
This evergreen large shrub or small tree is native to Arizona, Mexico and Texas. In Texas, it is native to Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties and the coastal parts of the Rio Grande Plains; however, is also cultivated in other counties in Southwest Texas. Although it is found naturally by stream edges or near water holes, it adapts to dry locations as well and has a high heat tolerance.

The branches spread irregularly. The close grained wood is dark reddish-brown, very hard and covered with gray to reddish bark that breaks into tiny flakes. The wood is used to make small wooden objects because of its color and hardness. The airy branches produce small, mimosa type, delicate and pinnate leaves which goats and sheep enjoy munching. From May to August, fluffy fragrant white blooms appear especially after it rains. These blooms are similar to the mimosa tree's blooms and they attract bees. As a culitvated plant, it blooms more frequently. Tenazas' flowers attract bees, and sheep and goats browse the foliage. The 2 to 5 inch long lustrous seed pods are strikingly beautiful and change colors as they mature eventually turning a dark reddish brown. I can not fully describe the seed pods so I have posted a photo. The name, "Apes Earring", obviously is derived from the glossy multi-colored seed pods which have a loop at the top end which can be placed on the top of the ear so that the pods hang down like earrings. An unusual plant that is highly adaptable to many regions, the tenaza may gain in popularity in the cultivated landscape.