Practical
Plants

Robinia neomexicana

New Mexico Locust

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Robinia genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Robinia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark, root and seed are said to be poisonous[6].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Flowers - raw or cooked[2][6][7][8][12]. They can be used as a flavouring in cooked dishes[12]. The flowers can be boiled, then dried and stored for later use[12]. Seedpods - raw or cooked[11][12]. They are gathered in the fall and eaten when fresh[11]. The pods can also be cooked then dried and stored for later use[12]. Seed - cooked[11][12].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Seedpod

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antirheumatic[5][10]. An emetic, it is used to clear the stomach[10][12].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Emetic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants succeed in dry barren sites, their suckering habit making them suitable for stabilizing banks[9][11]. Wood - tough, elastic and durable[6][12]. Used for fence posts etc[6].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Texas to New Mexico, Utah and Nevada.
Habitat
Mountain canyons and plains[14], generally in sunny positions in moist soils by streams[5], 1200 - 2500 metres[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and sow the seed in late winter in a cold frame[13]. A short stratification improves germination rates and time[13]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the following summer. The seed stores for over 10 years[4]. Suckers taken during the dormant season.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in any soil, preferring one that is not too rich[1][9]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding on dry barren sites[9]. Plants are tolerant of drought and atmospheric pollution[9]. The branches are brittle and very liable to wind damage[9]. When plants are grown in rich soils they produce coarse and rank growth which is even more liable to wind damage[3][9]. Plants can be coppiced[6]. Any pruning should be done in late summer in order to reduce the risk of bleeding[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  5. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2

  6. Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  13. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  14. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

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