Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Cercidium floridum, Parkinsonia floridum
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Parkinsonia microphylla
This tree has a short, crooked trunk or thinner multiple trunks that branch close to the ground. Differentiated from Parkinsonia microphyllum (Foothills Palo Verde) by its bluish-green color.
Leafy, rudimentary branches spiny. Grows along dry washes, less common on upland slopes. Bluish-green bark; leaflets <1/4 inch long; flowers bright yellow; seed pods flat with short triangular beaks or without beaks.
Height
20 to 40 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Generally found along washes, plains, and canyons, sometimes on slopes.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
500
High elevation
3500
Leaves
Leaf color
Bluish-green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Compound leaves are 1 to 3 inches long. There is a central stalk which divides into 2 stalks each with 1 to 9 pairs of tiny leaflets. Leafless for most of the year.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Terminal elongated clusters sometimes >1 inch wide, calyx green to yellowish-green, lobes reflexed. Petals bright yellow, banner with small reddish-orange spots basally. 5-petaled flower is 1/2 inch wide.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Other
Pea-like edible fruit turns olive brown with age. It is flattened and straight with a pointed tip and contains 1 to 4 seeds.