Robinia neomexicana

Robinia neomexicana is native to the Southwestern United States (southeastern California and southwestern Utah, Virgin River region,{{cite book|first=Elbert L.|last=Little Jr.|title=Atlas of United States Trees|volume=3 (Minor Western Hardwoods)|year=1976|publisher=US Government Printing Office|lccn=79-653298|oclc=4053799|entry=Map 162, Robinia neomexicana|entry-url=https://archive.org/details/atlasofunitedsta1314litt/page/n247/mode/1up}} east through Arizona and New Mexico, the Rio Grande valley, to far west Texas) and adjoining northern Mexico; from central New Mexico the range extends north into Colorado, mostly the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In Arizona, it ranges across the Arizona transition zone, the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains, and into western and southwestern New Mexico.

In California, it is uncommon below {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}} in canyons in the Mojave Desert and its sky island pinyon-juniper habitats (Pinus monophylla and Juniperus californica).{{cite web | title = Jepson Manual Treatment | year = 1993 | publisher = University of California | url = http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4198,4199 | access-date = 2008-06-18}} Farther east, it is typically found between {{convert|1200|and|2600|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} along streams, in the bottoms of valleys, and on the sides of canyons.{{cite book | author=Elmore, Francis H. | title=Trees and Shrubs of the Southwest Uplands | publisher=Western National Parks Association | year=1976 | isbn = 0-911408-41-X | page = 134}}

Robinia neomexicana grows to 5–10 m tall (rarely to 15 m) with bristly shoots. The leaves are 10–15 cm long, pinnate with 7–15 leaflets; they have a pair of sharp, reddish-brown thorns at the base. The flowers are showy and white or pink, and considered fragrant.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/category/fragrant-flowers-and-plants/|title = Fragrant Flowers and Plants – Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and Plants}} Blooms are produced in spring or early summer in dense racemes 5–10 cm long that hang from the branches near the ends. The fruits are brown bean-like pods with bristles like those on the shoots.

In New Mexico, Pueblo Native Americans traditionally ate the flowers uncooked.{{Cite book|title=Wild plants of the Pueblo Province : exploring ancient and enduring uses|last1=Dunmire|first1=William W.|last2=Tierney|first2=Gail D.|date=1995|publisher=Museum of New Mexico Press|isbn=0890132828|oclc=32501881}} The pods were also eaten raw and cooked by some Native Americans, such as the Mescalero and Chiricahua Apache.{{cite book |last=Peattie |first=Donald Culross |author-link=Donald C. Peattie |title=A Natural History of Western Trees |year=1953 |publisher=Bonanza Books |location=New York |page=592}}

Mule deer, cattle, and goats browse the plant foliage. Cattle also eat the plant's flowers.{{cite book |last=Little |first=Elbert L. |title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Western Region |year=1994 |orig-year=1980 |publisher=Knopf |isbn=0394507614 |edition=Chanticleer Press|page=504}} Squirrels and quail eat the locust's seeds.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons-inline}}
• [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RONE USDA Plants Profile: Robinia neomexicana]
• [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4198,4199 Jepson Manuel Treatment - Robinia neomexicana]

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Category:Robinieae

Category:Trees of Northern America

Category:Flora of the South-Central United States

Category:Plants used in Native American cuisine