# Texas mountain laurel (*Dermatophyllum secundiflorum*) The Texas mountain laurel is a beautiful shrub with lovely purple flowers that smell like grape candy! It grows in warm places and is a favorite for butterflies and bees. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Desert lilac ![Texas mountain laurel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sophora_secundiflora%252C_the_Mescalbean_%289558434335%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sophora_secundiflora%252C_the_Mescalbean_%289558434335%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Texas mountain laurel is a small, evergreen tree or large shrub with dark green, leathery leaves. It produces showy, pendulous clusters of fragrant, deep purple-blue flowers that resemble wisteria in early spring. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Fabales - **Family:** Fabaceae - **Genus:** Dermatophyllum ## Interesting facts - Ancient Native Americans used its hard, red seeds as beads, despite their toxicity. - Its fragrant purple flowers smell exactly like grape soda or grape bubblegum! - The wood of the Texas mountain laurel is incredibly dense and hard, sinking in water. - Though called a 'laurel,' it's a pea family plant, unrelated to true laurels. ## Special abilities - **Drought Defender:** Texas mountain laurel has a deep taproot that helps it reach water deep underground to survive long dry spells. - **Evergreen Energy:** Its tough, evergreen leaves allow it to photosynthesize year-round, even in winter, maintaining energy production. - **Chemical Shield:** Texas mountain laurel can produce toxic compounds in its seeds and leaves that help protect it from hungry animals. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 300-600 cm - **Spread:** 200-400 cm - **Flower Size:** 1.5-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late winter to early spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** High - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its flowers. - **Pollinates:** American bumblebee (*Bombus pensylvanicus*) — An important native pollinator for its spring blooms. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer browse the leaves only when other food is scarce. - **Shelter:** [Blue-gray gnatcatcher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-gray-gnatcatcher) (*Polioptila caerulea*) — Uses its dense branches for nesting and protection. ## Traits - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Dye](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/dye): This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not eat any part of the plant, as some parts can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Texas mountain laurel? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Texas mountain laurel? 300-600 cm ### How wide does Texas mountain laurel spread? 200-400 cm ### How big are the flowers on Texas mountain laurel? 1.5-3 cm ### When does Texas mountain laurel bloom? Late winter to early spring ### Is Texas mountain laurel edible? No ### Is Texas mountain laurel toxic? High ### What is Texas mountain laurel's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Caverns of Sonora](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caverns-of-sonora) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark - [Fort Lancaster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-lancaster) — Texas, US · Historic Site - [Fredericksburg Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fredericksburg-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens-state-park) — New Mexico, US · Botanical Garden - [Lost Maples State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lost-maples-state-natural-area) — Texas, US · State Park [View all places to see Texas mountain laurel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/texas-mountain-laurel) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Texas mountain laurel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/texas-mountain-laurel)