Texas Wildbuds
Ugnadia speciosa
(Mexican Buckeye)
Ungnadia speciosa, Inks Lake State Park, Burnet Co. 0233
Ungnadia speciosa, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Travis Co. 2172
Ungnadia speciosa, Mayfield Park, Austin, Travis Co. 2454
Ungnadia speciosa, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Travis Co. 3125
Ungnadia speciosa, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Travis Co. 2191
Ungnadia speciosa, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Travis Co. 3092
Ungnadia speciosa, Inks Lake State Park, Burnet Co. 0227
Ungnadia speciosa, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Travis Co. 2201
| Scientific Name | Ungnadia speciosa | USDA PLANTS Symbol | UNSP |
| Common Name | Mexican Buck-eye | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 28710 |
| Family | Sapindaceae (Soapberry) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Rocky areas on ridges, hillsides, fencerows and in canyons. Plant: Multi-trunked deciduous tree, 8 to 15 ft tall and trunk uo to 8 inches across; thin, light-gray bark. Leaves: Dark green Pinnately-compound leaves with 5 to 7 lanceolate leaflets 2 to 3 inches long with serrate edges. Inflorescence: Fragrant bright pink to purplish-pink flowers growing in crowded bundles arising from the axils of last season's leaves; each blossom about 1 inch across, with 4 or 5 petals and 6 to 10 long, drooping stamens with bright red anthers. Bloom Period: March to June. Fruit: Pale green, becoming reddish-brown, smooth-ish, three-lobed pod 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. References: "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist, Wildflower Center, US Forest Service FEIS and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025