Neltuma velutina
Velvet mesquite
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Neltuma velutina (Velvet mesquite) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Fabaceae family, recognized by (N. odorata). Clear leaflet count and dimension differences distinguish these species.
Velvet mesquite is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal regions including San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, Southern Coast, and Peninsular Ranges in sandy or rocky canyon and wash habitats at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small yellow-green flowers in spike-like racemes 5 to 15 centimeters long. Growing as a spreading, rounded shrub or small tree up to 15 meters tall with often crooked branches, it features distinctive branching with sharp spines 10 to 20 millimeters long. Its compound leaves have 2 to 4 primary leaflet clusters, each containing 30 to 60 small oblong secondary leaflets 4 to 15 millimeters long. The fruit is a linear pod 8 to 15 centimeters long, containing seeds 5 to 7 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (N. odorata). Clear leaflet count and dimension differences distinguish these species.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Sandy or rocky soils in canyons, washes
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Kern, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Orange, Alameda, Stanislaus, Monterey, San Benito
Outside California: native to southwestern United States (except California), northern Mexico
Bloom period
Neltuma velutina blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Acacia: Many acacias are unarmed or bear paired stipular spines with round puffball flower heads; mesquite has single axillary spines, spike-like flower racemes, and long pods pinched between the seeds.; vs Parkinsonia: Palo verde has green photosynthetic bark and yellow 5-petaled flowers; mesquite has brown bark, tiny greenish-yellow flowers in cylindric spikes, and typically one pair of pinnae.; vs Strombocarpa: Screwbean mesquite bears tightly coiled, spring-like pods; Neltuma pods are straight to slightly curved, merely constricted between the seeds.; vs Calliandra: Fairy-dusters have showy long-stamened flowers in round heads; mesquite flowers are minute in elongate spikes.; vs Albizia: Silk-tree has many pairs of pinnae, pink powderpuff flowers, and flat papery pods; mesquite has only 1--2 pairs of pinnae and thick pods narrowed between the seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neltuma velutina native to California?
No. Neltuma velutina is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Neltuma velutina bloom?
Neltuma velutina blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Neltuma velutina grow?
Neltuma velutina occurs in Kern, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Orange, Alameda, Stanislaus, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Neltuma velutina belong to?
Neltuma velutina is in the Fabaceae family, genus Neltuma.
What habitat does Neltuma velutina grow in?
Neltuma velutina grows in Uncommon. Sandy or rocky soils in canyons, washes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.