Arizona Sophora
Arizona Necklacepod
Sophora arizonica
(Dermatophyllum arizonicum)
RANGE: Very restricted range. Isolated populations on eastern and southern foothills of the Hualapai Mts. of Mohave Co. and in portions of Graham and northern Cochise Co., Arizona. A related plant, Texas Sophora (aka Mescal Bean), Sophora secundaflora, is widely cultivated in Phoenix and Tucson xeriscapes.
SHRUB: Medium to large shrub.
FLOWERS: Purple pea flowers are rather large and fragrant.
FRUIT: Sturdy bean pods contain red beans and the pods are constricted between each bean.
UNARMED.
LEAVES: Once compound leaves are dark green and a bit leathery.