# Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora)

> A slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree (10-15 feet, occasionally taller) with glossy dark leaves and drooping clusters of purple flowers in early spring that smell strongly of grape bubble gum. Botanists now call it Dermatophyllum secundiflorum. It is extremely drought tolerant and deer resistant, but its hard red seeds are poisonous.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/sophora-secundiflora · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Mescal bean, Frijolito
- Family: Fabaceae
- Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Mature height: 5 m; spread 3 m
- Growth: Slow growing
- USDA hardiness zones: 7 to 10
- Light: Sun or part shade
- Water: Low water
- Soil: Rocky, well-drained, limestone or caliche soils; alkaline is ideal; will not tolerate poor drainage
- Native range: Central and south Texas west to the mountains of southern New Mexico and south into Mexico

**Benefits:** Flowers, Pollinators, Drought tolerant, Fits small spaces

**Good for:** Small yard, Screening, Street tree

**Watch out for:** Toxic parts

## Care

Plant in full sun on well-drained rocky ground; it needs little water after the first year and dies in soggy soil. Prune only to shape or raise the canopy; it is slow and needs little attention. Remove seed pods if children or pets might eat the bright red seeds. Also sold under the name Dermatophyllum secundiflorum.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** NM, United States; TX, United States
- **Recommended:** Austin, TX, United States (On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Mountain Laurel, Texas'; very low water needs, poisonous seeds.); Dallas, TX, United States (On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List)

## Sources

- https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/SOSE3
- https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DESE5
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/dermatophyllum-secundiflorum/
- https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/mountain-laurel-texas
- https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf