Robinia neomexicana
New mexico locust, New Mexico Locust
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Robinia neomexicana (New mexico locust) is a native California shrub / tree in the Fabaceae family, recognized by habitat and growth form also distinctive.
New mexico locust is a California native shrub found in the eastern Desert Mountains in canyons and roadsides within pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations below 1,800 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white to pink flowers in clusters with a corolla 2 to 2.5 centimeters long. Growing as a small shrub or tree with multiple stems, it develops a spreading, multi-branched form. Its compound leaves are composed of numerous dark green leaflets arranged pinnately, providing a dense and textured appearance. The shrub forms thickets in rocky canyon environments, offering important habitat structure in arid desert mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with no sympatric species; habitat and growth form also distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Canyons in pinyon/juniper woodland, roadsides
Elevation: < 1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego
Outside California: to southern Utah, western Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Robinia neomexicana blooms Apr-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Lagerstroemia: Robinia has compound leaves with many leaflets; crepe myrtle has simple undivided leaves with crinkled flowers.; vs Amorpha: Robinia has large showy flowers (over half inch); Amorpha has tiny dark purple flowers in dense spikes.; vs Gleditsia: Robinia leaflets are larger (1-2 inches) with smooth pods; honeylocust has tiny leaflets and long twisted pods.; vs Tipuana: Robinia flowers in drooping clusters; tipu tree has flowers in upright branched clusters.; vs Koelreuteria: Robinia has pea flowers and flat pods; goldenrain tree has small yellow flowers and papery lantern pods.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robinia neomexicana native to California?
Yes. Robinia neomexicana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Robinia neomexicana bloom?
Robinia neomexicana blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Robinia neomexicana grow?
Robinia neomexicana occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, at elevations of < 1800 m.
What plant family does Robinia neomexicana belong to?
Robinia neomexicana is in the Fabaceae family, genus Robinia.
Is Robinia neomexicana rare or endangered?
Robinia neomexicana carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.