Margarita Bush
Echinopterys eglandulosa
Family: Malphigiaceae
Not much is known about this odd shrub…or is it a vine? This can be found sprawling up nearby trees just south of the border. Not as a vine so much as a shrub with stems that are really long and continue to grow. Dark green leaves are evergreen unless except when droughted or due to cold.
In full sun these plants may be more compact and with more leaves. In part sun they will stretch. In the ground, they are fairly drought tolerant when established. Plants will defoliate in upper 20s °F. This plant is hardy to at least 25°F, maybe colder—new growth will re-emerge after frost damage.
Great pollinator plant.
The name “Margarita Bush” is of uncertain origin. The prefix of the genus, echinopterys, “echino-” means “spiny” or “hedgehog,” while “pterys” translates to “wing” or “feather.” This refers to the winged seedpods produced by plants in this genus. The species, eglandulosa translates from ex, which is Greek/Latin for out of the ordinary or out side and glandula, which is Latin for glands—so, lacking glands.
From Sonora, south into Mexico. Usually scrambling up other shrubs and trees.
A plant in full sun, more compact, photo by Sue Carnahan, iNaturalist
A plant growing up another shrub, photo by tolotornis on iNaturalist