Texas Mountain Laurel
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Also scientifically known as Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
Common Names: Texas Mountain Laurel, Mountain Laurel, Mescal Bean, Mescal Bean Sophora, Frijolillo, Frijolito
Texas Mountain Laurel is a charming shrub or small tree that can grow anywhere from just a few feet up to over 30 feet tall. Its lush, dark green leaves are glossy and feature 7-9 leathery leaflets that are rounded at the tips and can reach up to 2 inches long, tapering gently toward the base. The stunning bluish lavender flowers are not only showy but also carry a delightful fragrance, blooming in lovely clusters of 3-7 that tend to droop gracefully. The fruit of this plant is a semi-woody pod, housing bright red seeds that are beautiful, but toxic if ingested.
This plant is quite popular as a native evergreen ornamental tree within its range, cherished for its striking, dark green foliage and vibrant blooms that bring joy in early spring. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in rocky limestone soil. Texas Mountain Laurel is a woody plant that adapts to its rocky environment, growing at a steady pace. The fragrance of the flowers is pleasant, although it can be quite strong, wafting through the air for quite a distance from the plant. The fragrance of Texas mountain laurel blooms is often likened to the sweet aromas of grape-flavored products like Kool-Aid, grape bubble gum, and soft drinks.
The Mescal Beans or seeds of the Texas Mountain Laurel are a brilliant lacquer red and contain the highly toxic alkaloid cytisine (or sophorine), which is similar to nicotine. Indigenous Peoples have historically treasured these striking seeds for ornamentation and ceremonial purposes.
Nectar Source: Bees, Butterflies, Insects
Height: 15’-25’
Spread 8’-10’
Bloom: February - April
Light: Full Sun - Dappled Shade
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 7 - 10
Origin: Texas, Southwestern U.S., Northern Mexico
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
