Screwbean Mesquite

Strombocarpa pubescens

Native to:
Mexico, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Strombocarpa
Species:
Strombocarpa pubescens
USDA Symbol:
PRPU

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
900 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
yellow
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Juno buckmoth (Hemileuca juno), Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus), Palmer's metalmark (Apodemia palmerii)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from root crown following fire. Common in fire-prone desert grassland and scrubland communities.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
7–30 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat required for germination. Seeds germinate readily after mechanical or acid scarification.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days

Source: Claude AI