Mescal Bean Tree, Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 9 m high and spreads 4.5 m wide. The leaves are shiny, leathery and compound. The leaves have 3-5 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are rounded at the end. The flowers are violet-blue. They occur in clusters. They have a strong scent. The fruit are silver grey seed pods.

There are about 50 Sophora species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to subtropical tree. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Chile, China, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Madagascar, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Slovenia, Taiwan, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seeds and flowers are very poisonous. The seeds have been used to make an intoxicant.

Edible parts

Seeds - drink

How it is grown

It is very slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Frijolillo, Frijolito

Synonyms

Broussonetia secundiflora Ortega; Calia secundiflora (Ortega) Yakovl.;