Growth of Legume Tree Species Growing in the Southwestern United States

Abstract

Vegetative shoot growth of eleven legume tree species growing under field conditions in the Southwestern United States in Arizona were monitored over two periods of twelve months. Species included plants native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, South America, and Australia. Based on shoot extension and branch differentiation species could be grouped into three categories. Fast growing legumes included Acacia farnesiana, A. pendula, Olneya tesota, Parkinsonia floridum, and Prosopis chilensis. Intermediate growth rates were monitored for A. jennerae, A. salicina, and A. visco. Slow growing species in this study included A. stenophylla, P. microphylla, and P. praecox. No buds, flowers, or pods were observed for P. microphylla, O. tesota, and P. chilensis during the study. Of the remaining species those native to the Americas flowered in spring and those native to Australia flowered in fall or winter.