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plant identification

last year

In my attempt to reduce water use in the garden, a friend of mine sent me a number of seeds from her home in Phoenix, AZ. She told me these are mesquite, senna and locust seeds, all with very low water needs. I've potted them and 4 types emerged. Would anyone be able to identify them? I understand the mesquite and locust are thorny. I want to identify them so I won't plant them near the walkway. Many thanks.

Featured Answer

Jay 6a Chicago

last year

last modified: last year

I think #1-3 are a Senna, possibly Senna covesii which is native to Arizona, or possibly another Senna, because a lot of exotic Senna are grown in NA.. #4 Looks similar to Mesquite, Prosopus velutina, which does have thorns, but not the megafauna sized thorns of your native Honey Locust Gleditzia. It's a bit difficult to see, but can you verify if the leaflets on the senna are covered in short, white hairs that make them appear silvery?

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Comments (6)

otcay
Original Author
last year
HiJay,Thank you. The round-ended leaflets are smooth on the surface. I do not see or feel any downy hair on them.
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Jay 6a Chicago
last year
last modified: last year
Senna covesii has leaves with 2 sets of leaflets at maturity. The lack of pubescence rules out S. covesii. There are no other native Arizona Senna species with only 2 sets of leaflets at maturity. Your pics look like young Senna corymbosa or S. marilandica. These are young seedlings that may get more sets of leaflets as they mature, so I think you should wait about 3 weeks and then post an update. Senna is a large genus, and many exotic Senna species are grown in the US.
otcay thanked Jay 6a Chicago
otcay
Original Author
last year
thank you, i'll look them up. i'm just wary of the mesquite and its dagger thorns
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
last year
That last one isn't a caesalpinia pulcherrima, is it? Those are those lovely flowering tree/shrubs that are all over Phoenix - red or yellow. (I've killed one, that's how I know it.) (Hmm do I have some seeds lying around??)

They are stunning plants. Now I am kind of wanting another one.
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
last year
On second thought, I think it isn't.

But those are lovely plants...