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Robinia neomexicana - New Mexico locust

Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Robinia luxurians, Robinia neomexicana var. luxurians, Robinia neomexicana var. subvelutina
Other common names
New Mexico honey locust
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
No

Plant Description

Origin
Native

Shrub to tree-like with multiple trunks and spiny branches. Fast growing. Forms erosion controlling thickets.

Shrub with compound leaves and spines, often found in dense thickets; curved, paired stout spines at leaf scars; leaves alternate, margins entire, green above, leaflets 5 to 21, oblong; flowers pink in large clusters; fruits are pods.

Height
20 feet
Width
20 feet

Habitat

Habitat description

Canyons and open woods on a variety of soils, mostly in coniferous forests.

Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
9000

Leaves

Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf attachment
Alternate
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Deciduous

Pinnately compound to 12 inches long with 15 to 21 finely haired leaflets each to 1-1/2 inches long.

Flowers

Flower color
Purplish-pink
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
July

Pea-like flowers in large, dense and drooping clusters of 3 to 14 flowers, clusters to 4 inches long, flowers to 3/4 inch long. Fragrant.

Flower clusters
Elongated

Fruit

Fruit color
Reddish-brown to light brown
Fruit type
Pod

Hairy pea-like flat seed pods to 4-1/2 inches long. Pods age from reddish-brown to light brown.

Bark/Branches

Bark color
Gray to brown
Bark texture
Rough

Smooth but becomes furrowed and scaly with age. Twigs have reddish-brown, paired, stout, curved 1/2 inch long paired spines. Trunk to 8 inches in diameter.