Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
rosary babybonnets
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Coursetia glanduosa
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Rosary baby bonnets are deciduous spreading shrubs without spines or thorns. Their bark is slightly rough and gray, leaves are green and pinnately compound, usually ranging in size from 1 to 3 cm (<1 in) with smooth leaf margins, an oblong shape and an obtuse shaped apex. Small, pea-like flowers are produced in panicle inflorescences of about 5 cm (2 in) in length along the stems, the flowers are whitish, sometimes with yellow near the center. The fruits are brown legumes that all appear and persist in the spring and are 9 to 11 cm (3-5 in) in length, with 1 to 13 round seeds inside.
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Arizona, Mexico, Honduras
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Desert or Dry Shrubland
Natural History:
Coursetia glandulosa, the rosary baby bonnets, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to desert and dry shrubland areas of the US state of Arizona, Mexico, and Honduras. A deciduous shrub reaching 6 m (20 ft) It is typically found in rocky habitats such as canyons, at elevations below 1,200 m (4,000 ft). Heavy orange encrustations on its branches are a common occurrence, and are the result of a lac insect infestation (6).
Cultivation Notes:
Established plants are heat and drought-tolerant but require regular irrigation in hot weather for best appearance. Growth rate is fast with sufficient moisture. Stems are damaged at 23° F (-5° C). Frozen stems should be removed and recovery is rapid the following season. This species produces minimal litter. Many of the plants used are from wild origin or cultivated from seeds of wild origin (2).
Ethnobotany:
Rosary baby bonnets are occasionally grown as a landscape plant. It can be planted to make an informal screen.(2)The relatively straight and flexible stems of this species have been used by indigenous peoples to make a variety of objects.(2) A gum-like exudate produced by insects and found on the stems has been used to mend broken pottery and seal jars to be airtight (6,8).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Pink
Function:
Patio
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
