Shrub Identification help

[Sagebrush]

Saw this at nursery in El Paso. Leaflets quite small. 1/4"x1/8". Opposite leaflet pattern and edges are smooth. At terminal end there is always a single leaflet. Nursery said it was called Dahlia. Leaves don't look like Dahlia to me?

 

[Shibui]

Does not look like dahlia to me either.
With those leaflets most likely a member of fabiacea - legumes, many of which have pea shaped flowers.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Locust of some sort?

 

[Sagebrush]

I don't know the name from my ancient childhood but there was a plant with leaflets like this. When you touched them they folded together.

 

[Michael P]

It is probably a Dalea, easily mispronounced Dahlia.

 

[Sagebrush]

It is probably a Dalea, easily mispronounced Dahlia.

Thanks Michael. With your Dalea ID I was able to find it. Dalea frutescens, Black Dalea. Trunks are very interesting. Young plants have normal trunks. When older (2" diameter) they split as if a trunk splitter was used on them. Out of 30 at nursery everyone with a larger trunk had split naturally. Makes them look quite old.

 

[Sagebrush]

Thanks Michael. With your Dalea ID I was able to find it. Dalea frutescens, Black Dalea. Trunks are very interesting. Young plants have normal trunks. When older (2" diameter) they split as if a trunk splitter was used on them. Out of 30 at nursery everyone with a larger trunk had split naturally. Makes them look quite old.

Michael. Scratch the last part of that reply. This Dalea has a normal shrubby type trunk. Was thinking of another interesting shrub that does show the split trunk. Chaparral Sage. Age is a cruel master

 

[Michael P]

Glad I could help! It is popular in native plant landscapes in south Texas, we don't see it much here in Dallas. I am very interested to see you do with it as bonsai.

 

[jradics]

GLEDISIA OR LOCUST OF SOME SORT?

 

[Sagebrush]

This is the Dalea. Was root bound in a 5 gallon nursery container. Just teased and trimmed outside roots and added better draining substrate around the root ball. Cleaned out dead branches. Placed in garage for awhile til acclimized.