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New Mexico Locust

Robinia neomexicana A. Gray

Common Names

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New Mexico locust
New Mexican locust
southwestern locust
hojalito
Una de Gato
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Cover Value

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More info for the term: cover

In Arizona, New Mexico locust as a minor species with Gambel oak
noticeably contributed to elk summer thermal cover in a ponderosa pine
(Pinus ponderosa)-white fir overstory [7]. The cover value of New
Mexico locust in Utah is rated as poor for pronghorn, elk, and
waterfowl; fair for mule deer and upland game birds; and good for small
mammals and small nongame birds [18].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Description

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More info for the terms: fruit, shrub, tree

New Mexico locust is a native rhizomatous, small tree or shrub that
grows from 3 to 26 feet (4-8 m) tall with a diameter of 4 to 8 inches
(10-20 cm) [29,34,45,53,58]. It has a dense crown and thin bark
[32,34]. New Mexico locust has many stout spiny branches with pinnately
compound leaves that are 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) long [11,34]. Flowers
hang in dense clusters [36]. The fruit is a hairy legume about 3 inches
(7.6 cm) long containing several seeds [36,45].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution

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New Mexico locust is found from the mountains of Trans-Pecos Texas north
to southern Colorado and west to southern Nevada [29,36,42]. Its range
extends from southeastern California to New Mexico and northern Mexico
[3,11,53,56].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Ecology

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More info for the terms: fire regime, litter, rhizome, root crown, severity

Thin bark and moderate litter production probably make New Mexico locust
susceptible to fire [32]. Horton [32] stated that the succulent foliage
during the summer decreases the severity of fires in New Mexico locust
communities. Postburn regeneration probably occurs via root crown and
rhizome sprouting.

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Management Considerations

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More info for the term: shrubs

The use of fire to control New Mexico locust and improve conifer
regeneration has not been tested [26]. Potentially, fires occurring
more frequently than every 10 years would favor sprouting shrubs, such
as New Mexico locust, over nonsprouting shrubs [59].
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bibliographic citation
Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info for the terms: geophyte, phanerophyte

Phanerophyte
Geophyte
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat characteristics

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More info for the terms: forest, shrub

New Mexico locust is common in canyons, along streams or arroyos, on
terraces, talus slopes, and in coniferous forest understories
[35,36,45,58]. It is found on gentle to relatively steep slopes on all
aspects [24,28,57]. New Mexico locust occurs on a wide variety of
soils, ranging from clays to sandy loams derived from volcanic or
limestone parent materials [5,8,12,23,31]. Across its range, New Mexico
locust is found between 4,000 and 9,150 feet (1,219-2,789 m) in
elevation [23,28,39,48,56].

New Mexico locust occurs in semiarid continental climates with dry warm
springs, hot moist summers, and cold moist winters [14,44]. Across its
range, two major precipitation seasons exist, with 35 to 42 percent of
precipitation falling as rain in July and August [28]. Average annual
precipitation ranges from 15 to 30 inches (381-762 mm) [12,23,28,31,46].

Associated species not mentioned in Distribution and Occurrence are
listed below. Associated trees are southwestern white pine (Pinus
strobiformis), Chihuahua pine (Pinus leiophylla var. chihuahuana), and
quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) [17,24,43,57]. Common shrub
associates are Fendler ceanothus (Ceanothus fenderi), manzanita
(Arctostaphylos spp.), silverleaf oak (Quercus hypoleucoides), mountain
snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus), and mountain-mahogany
(Cercocarpus spp.) [6,9,28,52]. Other associated species are Arizona
fescue (Festuca arizonica), mutton bluegrass (Poa fendleriana), and
western yarrow (Achillea lanulosa) [12,23].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

206 Engelmann spruce - subalpine fir
211 White fir
216 Blue spruce
217 Aspen
237 Interior ponderosa pine
238 Western juniper
239 Pinyon - juniper
240 Arizona cypress
241 Western live oak
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

More info for the term: shrub

FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES23 Fir - spruce
FRES34 Chaparral - mountain shrub
FRES35 Pinyon - juniper
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Plant Associations

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the terms: forest, woodland

K018 Pine - Douglas-fir forest
K019 Arizona pine forest
K020 Spruce - fir - Douglas-fir forest
K021 Southwestern spruce - fir forest
K023 Juniper - pinyon woodland
K031 Oak - juniper woodlands
K032 Transition between K031 and K037
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Immediate Effect of Fire

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More info for the term: root crown

Fire probably kills New Mexico locust aerial stems and seedlings.
However, the root crown can survive low- to moderate-severity fires
[44].
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bibliographic citation
Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Importance to Livestock and Wildlife

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More info for the term: cover

On disturbed sites, New Mexico locust offers good forage and cover for
livestock and wildlife [39,45]. New Mexico locust is eaten by mule
deer, bighorn sheep, Gambel's quail, chipmunk, and porcupine [56].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Key Plant Community Associations

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More info for the terms: association, codominant, forest, woodland

New Mexico locust grows in pure stands or as an understory species [26].
New Mexico locust is an understory dominant or codominant with Gambel
oak (Quercus gambelii) under spruce-fir (Picea engelmannii-Abies
lasiocarpa), white fir (A. concolor), and mixed-conifer forests
[1,16,20,24,37,40]. It is a minor component in most riparian forest and
scrubland community types within its range, and in one chaparral
association (Arizona oak-yellowleaf silktassel-Emory oak [Q.
arizonica-Garrya flavescens-Q. emoryi]) [8,51,52].

New Mexico locust is an indicator for habitat types or plant
associations in the following publications:

(1) Classification of the forest vegetation on the National Forests of
Arizona and New Mexico [2]
(2) A vegetation classification system for New Mexico, U.S.A. [19]
(3) Forest habitat types in the Apache, Gila, and part of the Cibola
National Forests, Arizona and New Mexico [24]
(4) Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern
New Mexico and northern Arizona [39]
(5) A classification of spruce-fir and mixed conifer habitat types of
Arizona and New Mexico [40]
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Life Form

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More info for the terms: shrub, tree

Tree, Shrub
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Management considerations

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More info for the terms: competition, cover, forest, tree

New Mexico locust competes with conifer seedlings and saplings for
moisture and light [26]. Because of its rapid growth and prolific
sprouting, efforts are made to suppress New Mexico locust, especially
after timber harvest [13,14,39]. Brush competition is usually
detrimental to seedling or juvenile tree growth [10,26,30]. However,
Coffman [10] showed that under adverse planting conditions, the highest
establishment rates of planted Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
seedlings occurred under moderate or heavy cover of New Mexico locust
and Gambel oak.

Mechanical methods alone do not successfully control New Mexico locust
[26]. Gottfried [26] tested combinations of mechanical and chemical
control methods on New Mexico locust in central Arizona. There was no
significant difference among the various treatments after 1 year.
However, 4 years after the combination treatment of (1) cutting stems
during dormancy, (2) painting stumps with 2,4-D, and (3) spraying
sprouts with 2,4,5-T, stems were reduced from 104 to 9.

Within 8 years of an 80-acre (32.4 ha) harvest of mixed-conifer forest
in Arizona, 20 acres (8.1 ha) were covered by New Mexico locust. The
New Mexico locust plants were treated with picloram; 86 percent of the
plants were dead after 2 years [13]. Single applications of soil
herbicides may not eliminate New Mexico locust due to delayed recovery of
plants and establishment of seedlings. Therefore, follow-up spot
treatment is recommended [13].

In open ponderosa pine stands in northern Arizona, production values for
New Mexico locust were 3 pounds per acre (3.4 kg/ha) [9]. Ffolliott
[22] has developed models for predicting understory production in
ponderosa pine or mixed conifer forests of which New Mexico locust is a
component.
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Nutritional Value

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New Mexico locust has fair energy value but usually has poor protein
value (however, see below) [18]. New Mexico locust leaves comprised 0.8
percent of the total diet of mule deer in Arizona in June [54]. Protein
and acid-detergent fiber were each 25 percent of the leafy material.
Digestible dry matter was 39 percent of the leaves.
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bibliographic citation
Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Occurrence in North America

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AZ CA CO NV NM TX UT MEXICO
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Other uses and values

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New Mexico locust is cultivated as an ornamental [34,36,56].

The Hopi Indians have used it as an emetic and for treating rheumatism
[36,56].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Palatability

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Both the flowers and foliage are preferred by cattle and deer [33,36].
Palatability of New Mexico locust in Utah is fair for cattle and horses
and good for sheep [18].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Phenology

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New leaves of New Mexico locust begin growing in the spring. Flowers
form April to July in the new leaf axils [36,56]. Fruits ripen
September to October, and seeds disperse from September to December
[42,56]. Leaves abscise in autumn [42].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the terms: density, shrubs, woodland

Surviving New Mexico locust root crowns and rhizomes sprout following
fire [8]. From information about the rate of growth, it is probable
that postfire recovery via sprouting is good [32]. Two years after a
fire in north-central New Mexico, New Mexico locust, at a density of 240
plants per acre (593 plants/ha), had 295 sprouts per acre (729
sprouts/ha) with an average height of 15 inches (38 cm) [44].

Hanks and Dick-Peddie [28] evaluated the effects of elevation and
exposure on 11 burns aged 3 to 80 years in south-central New Mexico.
There was no trend in size or number of trees for New Mexico locust.
New Mexico locust was nearly ubiquitous on burned sites below 10,000
feet (3,048 m) by postfire year 2 or 3.

Potter and Foxx [44] looked at sprouting on a low-severity burn at
postfire year 2; a moderate-severity burn at postfire year 17; and a
high-severity burn at postfire year 100. New Mexico locust had the
greatest number of sprouts per acre on the moderate-severity burn area
at postfire year 17.

In a pinyon-Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) woodland in
northwestern Arizona, shrubs were assessed at postfire year 20. The
area had been seeded to introduced grasses. New Mexico locust occurred
infrequently; the plants were assumed to be on-site survivors that had
sprouted [15].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Post-fire Regeneration

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Tree with adventitious-bud root crown/root sucker
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regeneration Processes

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More info for the terms: seed, vines

New Mexico locust reproduces asexually and sexually. It sprouts from
stumps and root crowns [36,56]. New Mexico locust spreads by rhizomes,
forming dense thickets [49].

New Mexico locust fruits open rapidly when mature [42]. Locust (Robinia
spp.) seeds have impermeable seed coats and must be scarified [42,56].
Olson [42] and Vines [56] outline nursery methods for New Mexico locust
propagation. Seed stored in a cool dry place remained viable 1 to 4
years, which indicates that a short-lived seedbank could exist [56].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

6 Upper Basin and Range
7 Lower Basin and Range
11 Southern Rocky Mountains
12 Colorado Plateau
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Successional Status

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More info for the term: forb

Facultative Seral Species

New Mexico locust is a seral species after overstory removal in
southwestern coniferous forests [28]. After disturbance in
mixed-conifer stands, New Mexico locust became dominant after 1 to 3
years of forb dominance [28]. New Mexico locust is shaded out when the
conifers overtop it in 15 to 20 years [27,28].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Synonyms

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Robinia luxurians (Dieck) Schneid.
Robinia subvelutina Rydb.
Robinia breviloba Rydb.
Robinia neomexicana var. subvelutina (Rydb.) Kearney & Peebles
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Taxonomy

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The currently accepted scientific name of New Mexico locust is Robinia
neomexicana Gray. It is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). Several
varieties may be encountered in the literature; however, the maintenance
of varieties is questionable due to intergradation of all forms [3,36].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Value for rehabilitation of disturbed sites

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More info for the term: forest

New Mexico locust is cultivated for erosion control [32,34,36,45,56].
Caution is advised when using New Mexico locust in recreation areas
because of its stout spines [32].

In San Dimas Experimental Forest, California, at an elevation of 500
feet (152 m), New Mexico locust bareroot stock was planted on road
fills. Survival was 52 percent. New Mexico locust made the most rapid
growth compared to all other species planted. It has been fully tested
and is recommended for erosion control on sites at 500 to 6,000 feet
(152-1,829 m) in elevation with deep soil and in full sun[32].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Wood Products Value

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More info for the term: fuel

New Mexico locust wood is hard, heavy, and durable. It has been used
for fence posts and fuel [34,36]. It is of little use as lumber due to
its small size and limited distribution [34].
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Pavek, Diane, S. 1993. Robinia neomexicana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Comprehensive Description

provided by North American Flora
Robinia rusbyi Wooton & Standley, Contr U. S. Nat. Herb. 16: 140. 1913.
A shrub; branches puberulent when young, soon glabrous, red or brown; stipular spines stout, straight, 5-15 cm. long; leaves about 15 cm. long; rachis slender, minutely puberulent or glabrate, sulcate above; leaflets 11-17, oval or broadly oblong, rounded at both ends and mucronate at the apex, minutely strigillose on both sides, 2-4 cm. long, 1.5-3.5 cm. wide; racemes dense, 1 dm. long or less; peduncle, pedicels, and calyces hirsutulous and somewhat glandular-hispid; calyx-tube 6 mm. long, the lobes lanceolate, acuminate, 6 mm. long; corolla about 2 cm. long, rose-purple; pod 5-8 cm. long, 14-18 mm. wide, glabrous, abruptly acute, 4-8-seeded.
Type locality: Fifteen miles east of Mogollon, New Mexico. Distribution: Mogollon Mountains, New Mexico.
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Per Axel Rydberg. 1919. (ROSALES); FABACEAE; PSORALEAE. North American flora. vol 24(1). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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Comprehensive Description

provided by North American Flora
Robinia neomexicana A. Gray, Mem. Am. Acad 11.5:314. 1854.
Robinia Rusbyi Wooton & Standley, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 16: 140, in part. 1913.
A shrub, 1-2 m. high; branches grayish-puberulent, in age reddish or purplish; stipular spines mostly straight, 2-10 mm. long, puberulent; leaves 1-1.5 dm. long; rachis puberulent, sulcate above; leaflets 9-15, elliptic-lanceolate, mostly acutish at each end, 1-3 cm. long, 5-15 mm. wide, bluish-green, rather firm, strigulose on both sides; stipels subulate, 1-1.5 mm. long; racemes about 1 dm. long, the peduncle, pedicels, and calyces puberulent and glandularhispid; pedicels about 5 mm. long; calyx-tube 7-7 mm. long, the lobes lanceolate, acuminate, 7-8 mm. long; corolla rose-colored, about 15 mm. long; pod 6-8 cm. long, 8 mm. wide, hirsutulous, but not glandular-hispid, gradually acute at each end, merely margined on the seedbearing suture, 4— 8-seeded.
Ty pe locality: Dry hills on the Mimbres, New Mexico. Distribution: Southwestern New Mexico.
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Per Axel Rydberg. 1919. (ROSALES); FABACEAE; PSORALEAE. North American flora. vol 24(1). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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Comprehensive Description

provided by North American Flora
Robinia subvelutina Rydberg, sp. nov
A shrub ; young branches canescent with short spreading hairs and more or less glandularhispid; stipular spines straight, 5-10 mm. long; leaves 1-2 dm. long; rachis subvelutinousvillous and the lower part and the petiole more or less glandular-hispid ; stipels subulate, 2-4 mm. long; leaflets oblong to oval, rounded at the base, rounded, obtuse, or acute, and mueronate at the apex, 2-5 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. wide, softly short-villous on both sides, when young subvelutinous; racemes short and dense, about 7 cm. long; peduncle, pedicels, and calyces densely glandular-hispid; bracts ovate, acuminate; calyx-tube 5-7 mm. long, the lobes ovatelanceolate, 4-6 mm. long, short-acuminate; corolla pink, nearly 2 cm. long; pod glandularhispid, 6-S cm. long, 12-15 mm. wide, 3-6-seeded.
Tvpe collected on the Natanes Plateau, Bisbee, Arizona, June 26, 1912, Goodding 1092 (herb. N. Y. Bot. Gard.).
Distribution: Arizona and southwestern Utah.
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Per Axel Rydberg. 1919. (ROSALES); FABACEAE; PSORALEAE. North American flora. vol 24(1). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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Physical Description

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Perennial, Trees, Shrubs, Woody throughout, Stems woody below, or from woody crown or caudex, Plants with rhizomes or suckers, Nodules present, Stems erect or ascending, Stems 1-2 m tall, Stems greater than 2 m tall, Stems solid, Stems or young twigs sparsely to densely hairy, Leaves alternate, Leaves petiolate, Stipules conspicuous, Stipules setiform, subulate or acicular, Stipules persistent, Stipules free, Stipules spinose or bristles, Leaves compound, Leaves odd pinnate, Leaf or leaflet margins entire, Leaflets opposite, Stipels present at base of leaflets, Leaflets 5-9, Leaflets 10-many, Leaves hairy on one or both surfaces, Inflorescences racemes, Inflorescence axillary, Inflorescence or flowers lax, declined or pendulous, Flowers zygomorphic, Calyx 2-lipped or 2-lobed, Calyx gland-dotted or with glandular spot, Calyx hairy, Petals separate, Corolla papilionaceous, Petals pinkish to rose, Petals blue, lavander to purple, or violet, Banner petal suborbicular, broadly rounded, Wing petals narrow, oblanceolate to oblong, Wing tips obtuse or rounded, Keel tips obtuse or rounded, not beaked, Stamens 9-10, Stamens diadelphous, 9 united, 1 free, Filaments glabrous, Style terete, Style hairy, Style hairy on one side only, Fruit a legume, Fruit unilocular, Fruit freely dehiscent, Fruit elongate, straight, Fruit exserted from calyx, Fruit hairy, Fruit gland-dotted or with gland-tipped hairs, Fruit 3-10 seeded, Seeds reniform, Seed surface smooth, Seeds olive, brown, or black.
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Robinia neomexicana

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Robinia neomexicana, the New Mexican, New Mexico, Southwest, desert, pink, or rose locust, is a shrub or small tree in the subfamily Faboideae of the family Fabaceae.

Distribution

Robinia neomexicana is native to the Southwestern United States (southeastern California and southwestern Utah, Virgin River region,[2] 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.[2]

In California, it is uncommon below 1500 m (5000 ft) in canyons in the Mojave Desert and its sky island pinyon-juniper habitats (Pinus monophylla and Juniperus californica).[3] Farther east, it is typically found between 1200 and 2600 meters (4000 and 8500 feet) along streams, in the bottoms of valleys, and on the sides of canyons.[4]

Description

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.[5] Blooms are produced in spring or early summer in dense racemes 5–10 cm long that hang from the branches near the ends.[3][4] The fruits are brown bean-like pods with bristles like those on the shoots.[4]

Uses

In New Mexico, Pueblo Native Americans traditionally ate the flowers uncooked.[6] The pods were also eaten raw and cooked by some Native Americans, such as the Mescalero and Chiricahua Apache.[7]

Mule deer, cattle, and goats browse the plant foliage. Cattle also eat the plant's flowers.[8] Squirrels and quail eat the locust's seeds.[4]

References

  1. ^ Contu, S. (2012). "Robinia neomexicana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T19892906A20138525. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T19892906A20138525.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Little Jr., Elbert L. (1976). "Map 162, Robinia neomexicana". Atlas of United States Trees. Vol. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). US Government Printing Office. LCCN 79-653298. OCLC 4053799.
  3. ^ a b "Jepson Manual Treatment". University of California. 1993. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  4. ^ a b c d Elmore, Francis H. (1976). Trees and Shrubs of the Southwest Uplands. Western National Parks Association. p. 134. ISBN 0-911408-41-X.
  5. ^ "Fragrant Flowers and Plants – Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and Plants".
  6. ^ Dunmire, William W.; Tierney, Gail D. (1995). Wild plants of the Pueblo Province : exploring ancient and enduring uses. Museum of New Mexico Press. ISBN 0890132828. OCLC 32501881.
  7. ^ Peattie, Donald Culross (1953). A Natural History of Western Trees. New York: Bonanza Books. p. 592.
  8. ^ Little, Elbert L. (1994) [1980]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Western Region (Chanticleer Press ed.). Knopf. p. 504. ISBN 0394507614.

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Robinia neomexicana: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Robinia neomexicana, the New Mexican, New Mexico, Southwest, desert, pink, or rose locust, is a shrub or small tree in the subfamily Faboideae of the family Fabaceae.

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Wikipedia authors and editors
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