Sophora secundiflora
Family: Fabaceae
Plant Description: Evergreen shrub or small tree to 3.2 m high. Leaves pinnate, alternate with leaflets 3-7 cm long, 5-13 leaflets per leaf. Leaves dark green, glossy with velvety twigs. Leaflets elliptic-oblong, or oval. Flowers in broad racemes, the upper petal about 2 cm long, violet. Blooms are very fragrant with grape juice-like aroma. One- to 8- seeded, brown, pubescent legume.
Plant Trivia: All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans, livestock and wildlife. Can be propagated from scarified seeds. Native Americans used beans for trade articles. A powder from the seeds, in a very small amount, was added to mescal to produce intoxication, delirium, and sleep.
Field Identification:
Occurrence: Common on caliche ridges, north and west of Mathis, also occasional along the bluffs and ravines throughout our area.
Bloom Period: February-April
Plant Use: Decorative plant used for landscaping (slow growing). Good nectar source for bees and butterflies. A yellow dye can be made from the wood and red seeds have been used as beds for necklaces and other jewelry.
Key to the species of Sophora:
- Flowers violet……………………………………………………………………….S. secundiflora
Flowers yellow ……………………………………………………………………….S. tomentosa
stxflora 