Texas mountain
laurel or mescal bean is an evergreen, usually
multi-trunked shrub or small tree ranging from just a few
feet tall to more than 30 ft. in height, though its usual height at maturity is
10-15 ft. The dense, dark green, and glossy compound leaves are
composed of 7-9 shiny, leathery leaflets that are rounded on the ends. The
leaflets are up to 2 inches or more long, tapering more gradually to the base
than to the tip, and arranged along an axis terminated by a single leaflet.
The bluish lavender flowers, in 3-7 in. drooping clusters, are very showy and
fragrant. The fruit is a semi-woody pod with bright red
poisonous seeds. Young fruits are large, thick, leathery pods that
appear brownish gray because of a layer of silky pubescence, which gives the
pods a silvery luster. The fruits mature in mid to late summer and they
persist on the plant through the winter. The seeds are usually deep red but can
be orangish red to almost maroon. They are also very hard.
Sophora
secundiflora is very popular as
a native evergreen ornamental tree within its range,
valued for its handsome, dark green foliage and lush early spring blooms. It is
drought-tolerant, prefers rocky limestone soil, and is native from
central Texas west to New Mexico and south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico. Like
many woody plants native to rocky soils, it is slow growing. The
fragrance of Texas mountain laurel flowers is reminiscent of artificial grape
products. The brilliant, lacquer red seeds were valued by indigenous people for
ornament and ceremonial use. The seeds were used to make necklaces.
Texas
Mountain Laurel occurs in south-central and western Texas, New Mexico, and
southward in Mexico to San Luis Potosí. It is typically found on slopes,
between 1,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation. It grows on brushy slopes and open
plains. Common in limestone soils. It is in the legume family. It bears a resemblance
to the mountain laurel (which is in the rhododendron family) because of its shrubby,
rounded form, evergreen leaves and clusters of showy flowers. Although Mescal
Bean is another common name for the plant, it bears no relation to the Agave
species used to make the spirit mezcal. This species is often cultivated in
warm regions for the shiny, evergreen foliage and large showy
flowers. It has a slow growth rate and is drought tolerant. It prefers to grow
in well-drained alkaline soils. It is deer resistant. The colorful flowers
attract butterflies. Zones 7-11.
Growing
Instructions
1. Scarify the
seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat.
2. Soak the
seed in water for several hours.
3. The seeds
like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half
sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that
it is moist but not wet.
4. Put the
seeds on the soil.
5. Cover the
seeds with a thin layer of soil.
6. Water the
seeds.
7. Place the
pots in an area in full sun or part shade.
The seeds germinate in 1-4 weeks.
8. When the
seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.
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