^8 TREES AND SHRU;- 



quite bush in its general habit, but is without spines. It 

 would endure the lower temperatures, but its decorative value 

 is merely that of a curiosity. 



Along the ditch banks and to some extent in the moun- 

 tains occurs a tall shrub 6 to 10 feet high, with leaves re- 

 sembling the ordinary black locust leaves, and elongated spikes 

 of small dark purple flowers. This is Amorpha califomica. 

 As a decorative shrub for massing and in windbreaks it would 

 be valuable at almost any place in the irrigated valleys, where 

 it is now perfectly at home. It grows rapidlv and readilv 

 and forms a large amount of foliage. The flowers are not 

 conspicuous, but are peculiar for this family, having only one 

 of the peak present j the banner). They have a characteristic 

 newhat acrid odor. Two other species of this genus grow- 

 in the mountains of the State, both of which would be worth 

 cultivation. They are somewhat smaller than the one already 

 described, usually not more than 3 or 4 feet high, and with 

 slightly more conspicuous flowers. One of them (Amorpha 

 canescens) is ashy -ray in color, with small leaflets and small 

 one-sseded pods. Amorpha microphylla is somewhat similar, 

 but green and smooth. 



The New Mexican Black Locust. Agarko 

 (Robinia neomexicana) is a large shrub or small 

 tree growing in our mountains at elevations of 6.000 

 f€e t and more, commonly restricted to the drier and 

 rockier slopes, where it not infrequently forms dense 

 thickets 10 or 15 feel high. The trunk is never large, 

 rarely over 4 indies i„ diameter, and the top is open and stl 

 gling. Tt is easily transplanted, and grows well in pultival 

 The leaves resemble those of the common black locust and the 

 tl wcrs are similar i„ shape, slightly larger and of a bright 

 pink c lor. home on somewhat shorter peduncles. The 

 are thicker than those of the black locust, and have 

 Fewer seeds. The tree is covered with spines very similar to 

 those of the black locust. The Black Locust itself (Robinia 

 Pseudacacia) is a common cultivated tree throughout the State, 

 and is a very satisfactory shade tree indeed, enduring- heat. 



