Mescal Bean, Texas Mountain Laurel
Sophora secundiflora
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Purple. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.
Sophora secundiflora is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 10
Where it is found
Borders of streams, forming thickets or small groves in low rather moist limestone soils.
Southern N. America - Texas, New Mexico and Northern Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
Hallucinogenic, narcotic. An infusion of the seeds is used, half a seed is enough to produce intoxication. An infusion of the ground up seed has also been applied to ears in the treatment of earaches. The seeds contain the highly poisonous alkaloid cytosine (or sophorine) - this substance is related to nicotine and acts violently in the human system.
Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.
Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
Other
Rating: 3
Landscape Uses: Border, Espalier, Pest tolerant, Massing, Standard, Specimen, Street tree. A yellow dye is obtained from the wood. Wood - very heavy, hard, close grained. Of no commercial importance.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Espalier: A tree or other plant that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall).
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Succeeds in a well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Rather slow-growing and difficult to transplant. A very ornamental plant. This species has not been tried outdoors in Britain, it is possibly hardy if grown in the sunniest mildest areas of the country, or against a sunny wall in less mild areas. It grows best in the warmer areas of the country where the wood will be more readily ripened and better able to withstand winter cold. Plants should be container-grown and planted out whilst young, older plants do not transplant well. The flowers have a powerful and delicious fragrance, though some people find them offensive. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water and sow in late winter in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots in the greenhouse, and grow them on for 2 years under protected conditions. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their third year. Cuttings of young shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame. Air-layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
The plant, and especially the seeds, contains the poisonous alkaloid cytosine (or sophorin according to another report), which resembles nicotine in its action and is similarly toxic.
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
Broussonetia secundiflora. Virgilia secundiflora.