Has anyone seen this shrub/tree - it grows in zone 10, 200 - 300 meter elevation and produces these purple beans that are edible by goats - locals do not eat them, and do not know the name of the tree - in the summertime it drops almost all of its leaves. It grows to a height of 120 to 300 cm.
No, I don't have one. I've been looking for Legumes & that was one I was looking at in my Sunset gardening book. Yours may not be the "common" type. There are at least 3 types of this plant. Here is a page on Laburnum Watereri. They all pretty much look the same in pictures to me. - http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=784
I think You got it Wayne - it looks like it is some variety of Laburnam.
I am in the early stages of assessment, but this plant maybe one of the few that can easily reproduce from seed, survive and grow without assistance in arid climates.
Being a legume the tree can be used to improve the soil to great depths and for reforestation.
Thank You for your help.
Kostas
Even monkeys fall from trees. I brought you an ice pack tiny ad.