How can you tell a mountain laurel in Texas?
Texas Mountain Laurels are slow growers with dark green, glossy, compound leaves and drooping clusters of purply-blue flowers. Flowers range from dark violet to bluish-lavender to, rarely, white and waft a powerful, sweet, grape fragrance over considerable distances.
What do mountain laurel leaves look like?
Mountain laurel’s are smooth and a paler shade of green than their top side. While Rhododendron’s leaves are also a paler shade of green on the underside, in addition, they are covered in a brown fuzz. Another difference is the curling direction for the edges of the leaves.
Is Texas mountain laurel a Monocot?
Cotyledons as Distinguishing Features of the Monocots Four dicotyledons shown are Parkinsonia aculeata (retama), Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel), Chilopsis linearis (desert willow) and Arbutus xalapensis (Texas madrone).
What are the pods on a Texas mountain laurel?
The tree produces a tough woody bean pod that houses bright red, hard, seeds commonly referred to as mescalbeans. Mescalbeans are poisonous, yet they were used by native socities for ritual purposes, because of its powerful psychoactive properties. The bright red beans were also used for ornamentation.
How much do Texas mountain laurels cost?
This slow growing evergreen may be grown as a medium to large shrub or trained to a single or multi-trunk tree. A typical mature size is 15 feet high and 10 feet wide….Sophora Secundiflora.
| Size | Price | Available Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 feet | $45 | 20 |
How long does it take for a mountain laurel to grow?
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Evergreen flowering shrub | White, pink, red/dark green |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Rate: | 1 foot per year | Azaleas, rhododendrons |
| Time to Maturity: | 10 years | Hedges, foundation plantings, winter accents, woodland gardens |
| Height: | Up to 10 feet, depending on variety | Ericaceae |
| Spread: | 5 feet | Kalmia |
Is mountain laurel same as rhododendron?
While mountain laurel is an evergreen plant, rhododendron may be evergreen or deciduous shrubs. Many rhododendrons found in gardens are hybrids, but wild rhododendrons can also be found in the United States. While mountain laurel is native to the U.S., rhododendron originated in both the U.S. and Asia.
How fast does Texas Mountain Laurel?
Texas mountain laurel does not grow fast in the best conditions, but you can increase the growth rate to about two feet per year if it is growing in good soil and it is fertilized twice per year.
Is Texas Mountain Laurel toxic?
One of the sources that we go to when asked about toxic plants is Toxic Plants of Texas, and it confirms the toxicity of Texas Mountain Laurel. The toxic agent is cytisine, a quinolizidine alkaloid, which is found in the leaves and the seeds. Cytisine is also toxic to humans, and children are attracted to the red seed.
How poisonous is Texas mountain laurel?
The seeds of this plant, which are often used in making necklaces, are mildly poisonous if eaten. The poisonous elements of this plant resemble nicotine in its actions and toxicity. If seeds are ingested, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, delirium, and coma.
How do you fertilize Texas mountain laurel?
If you are wondering how to fertilize mountain laurels, the answer is to do it lightly once a year. As to what fertilizer, select a granular product for acid-loving plants and scatter a handful or two on the soil near the plant.
What kind of tree is Texas mountain laurel?
Texas mountain laurel is a tough evergreen shrub or small tree native to Mexico and the American Southwest. It is known for its attractive, fragrant flowers and its extreme drought hardiness. Keep reading to learn more about growing Texas mountain laurels in the landscape.
What kind of soil does a mountain laurel need?
It prefers well-draining, rocky, infertile soil, and it needs full sun. It does not respond very well to pruning, and should be cut back only slightly when absolutely necessary in the spring. It is hardy down to 5 degrees F. (-15 C.) and can usually survive winters in USDA zone 7b.
Is the Texas mountain laurel poisonous to pets?
These flowers eventually give way to thick seed pods containing bright orange seeds that, while beautiful, are very poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets. As long as you live in the right climate, growing Texas mountain laurels is very easy and rewarding.