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Form/flower

Form

Form/flower

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Texas kidneywood is an open, airy shrub with spikes of fragrant white flowers and lacy compound leaves. It can grow to 10 feet, often with several trunks, and is particularly attractive when pruned into a small tree. It blooms intermittently from April to October, especially after rains, although it has the most flowers in late August to September. Texas kidneywood grows in rocky limestone soils from the Rio Grande Plains to the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos. It grows best in full sun to light shade and is very drought tolerant once established, although it may drop its leaves in periods of drought. It will grow faster with more moisture, but still must be planted in well-drained soil. The leaves have a tangerine scent when crushed. Its flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies, as the whole plant is to deer. Although Texas kidneywood is in the same family as acacias and mimosas, it does not have their characteristic thorns.

Plant Habit or Use: medium shrub
large shrub

Exposure: sun
partial sun

Flower Color: white

Blooming Period: spring
summer
fall

Fruit Characteristics: flat brown pod with one seed

Height: to 10 feet

Width: to 8 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: neutral
alkaline

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8

Additional Comments: