PACKAGE OF 50 SEEDS

Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel, Mountain laurel, Mescal bean, Mescal bean sophora, Frijolillo, Frijolito) 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,

Perfect for bonsai.

USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 10A 

Texas-Mountain-Laurel is a small North American native evergreen, growing 15 to 25 feet tall with a 10-foot-spread but is capable of reaching up to 50 feet tall in its native habitat. It has a narrow upright silhouette and dense foliage which lends itself well to being pruned into a tree form. Texas-Mountain-Laurel can be used as a specimen, patio, or street tree and is ideal for use as a screen, bank cover, or an espalier. The two-inch-long, dark green leaves are glossy, thick, and leathery. In spring, Texas-Mountain-Laurel is a beautiful sight as it displays its dense, two to five-inch-long, pendulous clusters of purple/blue, extremely fragrant flowers. Every so often, a white-flowered form can be found. The hairy seedpods which follow are eight inches long and ripen to reveal the inner, bright red seeds. These seeds are quite decorative and have been used to make necklaces but they are also poisonous. The fissured bark is dark gray to black.

General Information

Scientific name: Sophora secundiflora

Pronunciation: sah-FOR-uh seck-un-dih-FLOR-uh

Common name(s): Texas-Mountain-Laurel, Mescalbean

Family: Leguminosae

USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 10A (Fig. 2)

Origin: native to North America

Invasive potential: little invasive potential

Uses: container or planter; reclamation; specimen; hedge; deck or patio; screen; parking lot island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median; Bonsai; street without sidewalk

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Description

Height: 15 to 20 feet

Spread: 10 to 12 feet

Crown uniformity: symmetrical

Crown shape: upright/erect, round

Crown density: open

Growth rate: slow

Texture: fine

CARE:

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; well-drained

Drought tolerance: high