Smoketree
Psorodendron spinosum
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Psorodendron
- Species:
- Psorodendron spinosum
- USDA Symbol:
- PSSP3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, violet
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire; adapted to desert fire regimes.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat required; hot water treatment or mechanical scarification improves germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in a 1:1 bleach:water solution for 30 to 50 minutes, then leached in water for 3 to 4 hours. Seeds are placed between sheets of blotter paper in nursery flats and wrapped in plastic bags to prevent desiccation. Transplant viable germinants into containers as soon as the radicle emerges. Flats are checked for new germinants daily.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in August and September when pods have matured and begin to split open. Do not collect seeds from the ground as they are often infested with insects.
Source: npn.rngr.net