Pithecellobium flexicaule, commonly known as Texas ebony, is a slow-growing, long-lived leguminous tree native to arid and semi-arid regions of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, where it thrives in thorn scrub, dry woodlands, and rocky soils with minimal moisture. This species is characterized by its dense, intricately branched crown and multiple spiny twigs, forming a tough, almost impenetrable canopy that provides excellent wildlife habitat and natural protection. Its bark is dark gray to almost black, becoming rough and deeply furrowed with age. Leaves are bipinnate yet very small, with tiny, glossy leaflets that reduce water loss and give the tree a fine, delicate texture despite its rugged structure. In late spring to early summer, Texas ebony produces fragrant, creamy-white puffball flowers rich in nectar, which attract bees and other pollinators. These are followed by thick, leathery, dark brown to black pods that curl as they dry, each containing several shiny seeds. Highly tolerant of heat, drought, alkaline soils, and urban stress, Pithecellobium flexicaule is valued in xeric landscaping as a hardy evergreen to semi-evergreen specimen or barrier tree, offering year-round structure, wildlife value, and a distinctive sculptural form in harsh climates.