Plant Profile: Sophora Secundiflora (Texas Mountain Laurel)
Posted: February 19th, 2014, 1:20 pm
| Botanical Name | Sophora Secundiflora, Calia Secundiflora |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Calia |
| Specie | Secundiflora |
| Local Name in Urdu | Shama |
| Common Name | Texas Mountain Laurel |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Cultivar Name | |
| Fragrant or Not | Very fragrant |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | Tree |
| Height | 10-30 Feet |
| Spacing | 8-12 Feet |
| Flowering Months | Spring |
| Flower Color | Blue -Purple |
| Growing Areas | Native to warmer areas |
| Frost Tender | No, It is frost hardy |
| Exposure | Full sun, Part shade |
| Soil pH | Alkaline (pH>7.2) |
| Propagation | Seeds |
| Uses | Medicinal Plant, Ornamental, Wild life |
| Other Details | This is one of the most fragrant trees found in warm climates. The flowers are in form of Racemes and are highly beautiful. Fragrance is grape soda, grape bubble gum, grape soft drinks, etc. A pleasant but almost overpoweringly strong fragrance that can waft a considerable distance from the plant. This tree is slow growing and takes many years to reach maturity. Like most Fabaceae family seeds, it needs to propagate from seeds scarified first. This is very heat and drought tolerant tree and suitable for xeriscaping. There is another species "tomentosa" being growing in lahore but that is not fragrant. First picture is taken from Lawrence gardens where many mature trees of sophora bloom in spring. A cultivar named "'Silver Peso'" has been developed with silvery leaves but not common. |
