Dirca mexicana

Dirca mexicana, the Mexican leatherwood, is a low shrub with a very restricted population in Tamaulipas, Mexico. However, it does surprisingly well in the much colder environment of Ames, Iowa. Like most Dirca species, it blooms in early spring.

Habitat

Mexican leatherwood grows in forested karstic limestone terrain at an elevation of about 1800 meters. It is shaded mainly by large Douglas-fir, shagbark hickory, Mexican weeping pine and laurinate oak. Some musclewood and American sweetgum are also present.