Mesquite
Neltuma juliflora
- Native to:
- Aruba, Bahamas, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Galápagos, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.
Dick Culbert (www.flickr.com) from Gibsons, B.C., Canada
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Neltuma
- Species:
- Neltuma juliflora
- USDA Symbol:
- PRJU3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, greenish-yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hubbard's silk moth (Syssphinx hubbardi), Juno buckmoth (Hemileuca juno), Syssphinx heiligbrodti
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously after fire; seeds are heat-tolerant and germinate well on burned ground.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- tolerates saline and arid conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (mechanical or acid) to break physical dormancy; germination rapid after treatment.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)