Mescal Bean

Mescal Bean Care

Dermatophyllum

What is the plant

Dermatophyllum secundiflora is an evergreen shrub, sometimes becoming a tree, with a narrow crown and upright branches; it can grow up to 10 metres tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. Although poisonous, it has also been used as a medicine and hallucinogenic.The plant, and especially the seeds, are narcotic and hallucinogenic. The seed contains the poisonous, volatile, liquid alkaloid sophorine, which is chemically identical to cytisine. It resembles nicotine in its action and is similarly toxic. Symptoms of poisoning, which appear within 1 hour, include nausea, violent and bloody vomiting, headaches, vertigo, confusion, fever, excessive thirst, cold sweat, respiritory problems, followed by convulsions and death.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min -15°C

Hardiness zone

7b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
established plants will need to be deeply irrigated about once every 1 to 2 weeks during summer to maintain a lustrous canopy of foliage.
Pruning
The extent and type of pruning depends on landscape use. Little to no pruning is necessary if it is used as a background plant. If used as a multiple trunk tree, then only very occassionaly (once every couple of years) raise the crown base. Beware that Texas mountain laurel is VERY SLOW to recover if severely pruned.
Sunlight
Full sun, NO shade.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Well-drained soil is a requirement for sustainalble performance.
Temperature
Summer heat-loving, summer maritime climates (the Pacific fog) decrease vigor.
Additional
Although poisonous, it has also been used as a medicine and hallucinogenic.The plant, and especially the seeds, are narcotic and hallucinogenic. The seed contains the poisonous, volatile, liquid alkaloid sophorine, which is chemically identical to cytisine. It resembles nicotine in its action and is similarly toxic. Symptoms of poisoning, which appear within 1 hour, include nausea, violent and bloody vomiting, headaches, vertigo, confusion, fever, excessive thirst, cold sweat, respiritory problems, followed by convulsions and death.