Humboldt Coyotillo
Karwinskia humboldtiana (Schult.) Zucc.
Whole plant
Family : Rhamnaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin : Native
Season : Warm
Coyotillo is a small tree or shrub reaching a height of 24 feet. It can be found growing in dry areas of the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. The leaves are 3/4 to 1 3/4 inches long, 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide and have dark lines on the veins. Small greenish flowers bloom during the summer and black to brown fruit matures around October. This plant is toxic to cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, and fowl. The oily seeds are poisonous and can cause paralysis to limbs in humans and domestic animals. The leaves and seeds are poisonous to livestock with symptoms of weakness, trembling, respiratory distress, and death. The poisonous agent in Coyotillo is polyphenolic compounds. However, the fruits are eaten by coyotes and chachalacas.
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