Coursetia glandulosa

Botanical Name

Coursetia glandulosa A. Gray

Common Name(s)

  • baby bonnets
  • samo prieto (Spanish)

Synonyms

Legume Clades

Papilionoideae , 50-kb Inversion Clade , NPAAA Clade , Hologalegina , Robinioid Clade , Coursetia

Native Geographic Range

  • Southwestern North America

IUCN Status

LC (Least concern)
See IUCN Red List Assessment

Growth Form

small tree
shrub

Cultivation Status in AZ

Native

Description

Tardily cold- and drought-deciduous shrubs to 10 ft (3 m) high with several to numerous stems, or rarely small trees. The bark is smooth and gray. Leaves are once-pinnate with to 6 in (15 cm) long with 8--22 leaflets. Small, pea-like flowers are produced in inflorescences along the stems. The flowers are whitish, sometimes with yellow near the center, and appear in the spring.

Habitat

Native to parts of southern Arizona, southward through much of western Mexico where is is found in the Sonoran Desert and in thornscrub and tropical deciduous forest habitats.

Uses

The relatively straight and flexible stems of this species have been used by indigenous peoples to make a variety of articles. A gum-like exudate produced by insects and found on the stems has been used to mend broken pottery.

Horticulture

Baby bonnets is occasionally grown as a landscape plant. It can be planted to make an informal screen. Established plants are heat and drought-tolerant but require regular irrigation in hot weather for best appearance. Growth rate is fast with sufficient moisture. Stems are damaged at 23° F (-5° C). Frozen stems should be removed and recovery is rapid the following season. This species produces minimal litter.