Halimodendron halodendron
Russian salt tree, Russian Salt Tree
(c) Maxim Shashkov, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Maxim Shashkov · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Halimodendron halodendron (Russian salt tree) is a non-native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by Only Halimodendron species in California, central Asian agricultural introduction.
Russian salt tree is a non-native shrub found in the central Coast Ranges and Los Angeles basin in cultivated landscapes at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces red-purple to pink flowers in small racemes that are 15 to 18 millimeters long. Growing as a spiny shrub with sprawling or erect stems 1 to 3 meters tall, it forms distinctive woody branches with sharp spine-like structures. Its leaves are clustered on spurs, featuring four obovate to oblanceolate leaflets that are deciduous and have small pointed tips. The fruit develops as a plump, ellipsoid woody pod 1.5 to 2 centimeters long that gradually turns black when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Halimodendron species in California, central Asian agricultural introduction
Habitat and range
Habitat: Cultivated land
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: to central United States, native southwestern Asia to Mongolia, China
Bloom period
Halimodendron halodendron blooms Apr-Jun.
Frequently asked questions
Is Halimodendron halodendron native to California?
No. Halimodendron halodendron is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Halimodendron halodendron bloom?
Halimodendron halodendron blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Halimodendron halodendron belong to?
Halimodendron halodendron is in the Fabaceae family, genus Halimodendron.
What habitat does Halimodendron halodendron grow in?
Halimodendron halodendron grows in Cultivated land.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.