Shrubs or trees 2–8 m, armed, bark and branches with dis­persed, curvate prickles. Leaves: stipules not seen; petiole 20–30 mm; rachis 4.5–20(–25) cm; blades oblong to elliptic, 10–40(–45) ×15–20 mm, surfaces glandular-dotted abaxially. Racemes pubescent. Pedicels jointed, (2.5–)5–10 mm. Flowers: calyx lobes red when in bud or greenish yellow, (3–)6(–7) mm; corolla banner with central scarlet blotch, (5.1–)6–7(–8.5) mm; filaments exserted, pale yellow, 6.8–7 mm, pubescent; anthers yellow, 1 ×0.5 mm; ovary pubescent; style 4.5–6.3 mm. Legumes (6–)7–10 × (1–)1.5–2.5(–3) cm. Seeds 4–8.

Phenology: Flowering Oct–Nov.
Habitat: Riparian areas, bluffs, sage scrub, road and railroad rights-of-way.
Elevation: 0–400[–2000] m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Calif., South America (n Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela), introduced also in ne Africa.

Discussion

Tara spinosa is cultivated as an ornamental and has escaped locally in southern California as far north as Santa Barbara County.

Tara vesicaria is sometimes cultivated in southern Florida and has been documented as an escape near planted individuals. It differs from T. spinosa by leaflets that are in 1–3 pairs and have rounded to emarginate apices and oblique bases.

Coulteria tinctoria Kunth is an illegitimate and super­fluous name that pertains here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.