Havardia pallens, commonly known as Haujillo, is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to the Tamaulipan mezquital, a dry, thorny scrubland found in northeastern Mexico and southern Texas. It typically grows to a height of 9-30 feet (2.7-9.1 meters) and a width of 6-15 feet (1.8-4.6 meters). The plant features a multi-stemmed form with a dense, rounded canopy. Its bark is smooth and gray, and it produces showy clusters of fragrant white to cream flowers in the spring, which are attractive to bees and butterflies. The flowers are followed by seed pods that provide food for wildlife.

Haujillo is valued for its drought tolerance and is used in xeriscaping, as well as for ornamental purposes in water-conserving gardens. It is suitable for urban planting due to its adaptability to various soil types, provided they are well-drained. This species thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires minimal supplemental watering once established. It is not commonly afflicted by serious diseases or pests, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. However, it is not widely available in the nursery trade and may require sourcing from specialty growers.CC BY-SA 4.0