Texas Mountain Laurel a Good Desert Landscape Choice

Texas Mountain Laurel or Mescal Bean

Andrea Meckley, Certified Horticulturist

andrea.meckley@aol.com

  

Description:  flowering large shrub or small tree

Mature size: 15-20 feet tall x 8-10 feet wide

Water use:  low to medium

Exposure:  all day sun to half day sun

Origin: Texas, New Mexico, northern Mexico

Caution: red seeds are poisonous

Flower:  purple sweet scented blooms early spring

Hardy:  0 degrees F

Evergreen

Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora segundiflora) slowly grows naturally as a shrub or can be trained as multi trunk tree.  The poisonous seeds have a coat that is very hard and difficult to crack limiting risks to humans and pets if swallowed.  Native peoples used the seeds for ceremonial use and ornamental jewelry.  Use this plant as a hedge, screen or accent plant.