Robinia neomexicana
| Robinia neomexicana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Robinia neomexicana (common name: new mexico locust)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 48 hours in warm water and sow the seed in late winter in a cold frame[1]. A short stratification improves germination rates and time[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the following summer. The seed stores for over 10 years[2].
Suckers taken during the dormant season.
Cultivation: Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in any soil, preferring one that is not too rich[3][4]. Requires a well-drained soil, succeeding on dry barren sites[4]. Plants are tolerant of drought and atmospheric pollution[4].
The branches are brittle and very liable to wind damage[4]. When plants are grown in rich soils they produce coarse and rank growth which is even more liable to wind damage[5][4].
Plants can be coppiced[6].
Any pruning should be done in late summer in order to reduce the risk of bleeding[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].
Range: South-western N. America - Texas to New Mexico, Utah and Nevada.
Habitat: Mountain canyons and plains[7], generally in sunny positions in moist soils by streams[8], 1200 - 2500 metres[9].
Edibility: Flowers - raw or cooked[10][6][11][12][13]. They can be used as a flavouring in cooked dishes[13]. The flowers can be boiled, then dried and stored for later use[13].
Seedpods - raw or cooked[9][13]. They are gathered in the fall and eaten when fresh[9]. The pods can also be cooked then dried and stored for later use[13].
Medicinal: Antirheumatic[8][14].
An emetic, it is used to clear the stomach[14][13].
Usage: Plants succeed in dry barren sites, their suckering habit making them suitable for stabilizing banks[4][9].
Wood - tough, elastic and durable[6][13]. Used for fence posts etc[6].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The bark, root and seed are said to be poisonous[6].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Arnberger, Leslie. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments, 1968.
- ↑ Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Vines, Robert. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press, 1987.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Whiting, Alfred. Ethnobotany of the Hopi. North Arizona Society of Science and Art, 1939.