Bloomipedia
Velvet mesquite (Neltuma velutina)
Photo: Isaac Ethington via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Velvet mesquite

Neltuma velutina

Native to Arizona

Velvet mesquite is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Arizona it's most often seen in bloom in April–July.

4states
4,867AZ sightings*
4,941U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Arizona

Quick look

Neltuma velutina, commonly known as velvet mesquite, is a small to medium-sized tree. It is a legume adapted to a dry, desert climate. Though considered to be a noxious weed in states outside its natural range, it plays a vital role in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert.

  • 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 4 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–July. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 4,867 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #18 among the 109 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

Velvet mesquite gift ideas

Handmade velvet mesquite gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Velvet mesquite art print

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When does it bloom?

In Arizona, most flowering sightings come in April–July.

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (125 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
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Salvage assessed On Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025): salvage assessed (permit needed to remove). NatureServe: S5, secure in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

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

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: it's on Arizona's rare plant list (salvage assessed). AAC R3-3 App. A

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 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 velvet mesquite in 4 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Yuma.

More Arizona flowers

Mexican palo verde (Parkinsonia aculeata)

Mexican palo verde

Parkinsonia aculeata

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in AZ: March–December
Catclaw acacia (Senegalia greggii)

Catclaw acacia

Senegalia greggii

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: March–June
Desert ironwood (Olneya tesota)

Desert ironwood

Olneya tesota

Native

🌼 Blooms in AZ: April–May

Sources