Texas Mountain Laurel

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum

Other common name(s):

Mountain Laurel, Mescal Bean, Mescal Bean Sophora, Frijolillo, Frijolito Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

12
to
20
ft.

Spread

8
to
12
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Caliche, Calcareous, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Very Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds, Moths

Maintenance

Slow growing. Drought tolerant. Prefers rocky limestone soils, but will tolerate sand, clay, loam. Needs good drainage. Do not overwater. Makes an excellent screen or accent tree. May be pruned for shape or to raise the canopy. Appropriate for use near overhead and underground utilities. Texas mountain laurel can be attacked by the Genista caterpillar. In one day, they can defoliate a tree, so be sure to apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) at the first outbreak. Most likely, you will only have to spray once, but in intense invasions, you may not need to reapply. This foliar application will disrupt the caterpillars’ digestive system and they will stop feeding and die in a few days. WARNING: All parts poisonous to humans. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms February-April. A multi-trunked shrub or small tree. Leaves are compound with 7-9 shiny, leathery leaflets that are rounded on the ends. Showy purple flowers occur in long drooping clusters, with a strong grape bubble gum fragrance. Seedpods are gray, aging to dark brown, with glossy red seeds. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Larval host: Genista Broom Moth. Replaces non-natives: Ligustrum.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s, Sophora secundiflora, Calia secundiflora, Broussonetia secundiflora, Dermatophyllum speciosum, Virgilia secundiflora, Calia erythrosperma, Calia secundiflora ssp. albofoliolata, Sophora secundiflora f. xanthosperma

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SOSE3. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Dermatophyllum+secundiflorum&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=10962&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=1085572#null., 6) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014, 7) https://www.centraltexasgardener.org/resource/mountain-laurel/, 8) https://txmn.org/st/texas-mountain-laurel/
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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason