New Mexico Locust

Robinia neomexicana

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Robinia
Species:
Robinia neomexicana

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Bloom Months:
apr, may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
White, Red, Pink, Purple, Brown
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Wyoming

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Agonopterix sanguinella, Cecropis moth (Automeris cecrops), Euclea dolliana, Leucoptera robinella, oak leafminer (Chrysaster ostensackenella), Oslar's eacles (Eacles oslari), tricolor buckmoth (Hemileuca tricolor), Mexican yellow (Eurema mexicana), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained sandy loam
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Scarification using dry tumbling with grit and pea gravel for 5 to 7 days. Soaking/Leaching in a rubber-lined rock tumbler jar with tap water, changing water daily to remove any inhibitors.

Establishment: Seeds collected in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. No stratification required. The duration of tumbling for the soaking/leaching process is based on the appearance of the seed and the leach water.

Source: npn.rngr.net