Flower profile

New Mexico locust

Robinia neomexicana

New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana) is a shrub or small tree in the Fabaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.

Native to New Mexico

New Mexico locust is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In New Mexico it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.

8states where USDA records it

1,013NM sightings*

2,190U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: New Mexico

Quick look

Robinia neomexicana, the New Mexican, New Mexico, Southwest, desert, pink, or rose locust, is a shrub or small tree in the subfamily Faboideae of the family Fabaceae.
From Wikipedia's article Robinia neomexicana, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Fabaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 8 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to New Mexico. ^NatureServe
In New Mexico, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 25 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 1,013 research-grade sightings of it in New Mexico, ranking #47 among the 152 flowers on our New Mexico list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In New Mexico, most flowering sightings come in May–July.

Flowering records by month in New Mexico (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (470 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G4 Apparently secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
New Mexico: Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Mexico. ^{19.21.2.9 NMAC}
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CA (S1), NV (S2), TX (S1), UT (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleToxic (moderate, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “moderate.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. ^{USDA PLANTS}

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Locust” (Robinia spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Vomiting, depression, anorexia, weakness, difficulty breathing, diarrhea (bloody)… ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records New Mexico locust in 8 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming.

New Mexico counties with USDA records: Bernalillo, Catron, Colfax, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Los Alamos, Luna, McKinley, Mora, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives New Mexico locust a high shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 7.0 to 8.5 and winter lows down to -23 °F.

Shade tolerance: High
Drought tolerance: Medium
Moisture use: Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium, fine
Soil pH range: 7.0 to 8.5
Minimum temperature tolerated: -23 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 160
Annual precipitation range: 9 to 35 inches
Minimum root depth: 12 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Brown · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RONE. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 50 counties across 7 states; the most are in New Mexico (23), Arizona (13), Colorado (7).

More from the Fabaceae family (114 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lupines, White clover, Red clover, Eastern redbud, Purple crownvetch, Bird's-foot trefoil, Partridge pea, White sweetclover.

More New Mexico flowers

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Feather dalea

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Yellow sweetclover

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Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile RONE.
iNaturalist, Robinia neomexicana: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Robinia neomexicana (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
New Mexico: New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC).
New Mexico: New Mexico Noxious Weed List (NM Department of Agriculture, updated June 2020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Robinia neomexicana (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS; ASPCA.
Photo: Matt Lavin via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.