Cercidium (Parkinsonia) floridum (Blue Palo Verde)

Photographs

My photos:

The photo to the right was taken in February at Anza Borrego. Below is a close up of a tree branch. It has leaves but no flowers yet.

More photos:

Photo of a lush, beautiful tree, courtesy of Tarleton. Fruit and flower of the same tree.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Fabaceae

In the garden:

Palo Verde is a small tree with a short trunk which grows up to 30 feet high. It is as wide as it is tall. Its twigs and young branches are bluish green. Leaves are small, inconspicuous, and few; in fact, this plant is leafless most of the year. In the spring or during moist periods, the small yellow flowers will appear in such abundance that they almost hide the branches. When not in flower, this tree displays an intricate pattern of blue-green, spiny branches and leaf stalks, which provide a lightly filtered shade. It belongs to and beautifies the desert and desert gardens. It is fast growing in the garden. It will survive much drought; however, it is denser, more attractive, and faster growing with water and fertilizer.

In the wild:

Blue Palo Verde grows in the fine soil of washes, flood plains, and low sandy places, below 3,000 feet. The trees can photosynthesize through their green bark, an important adaptation for a tree that drops its leaves during the warm season and in response to fall cooling. Palo verdes also drop stems and branches to combat drought. Palo verdes serve as nurse plants for saguaro cacti by providing a canopy – in effect, a microhabitat – which offers warmth in winter and shade in summer. The slower-growing, longer-lived cactus will eventually replace its one-time protector.

Bighorn sheep, mule deer, feral burros and jackrabbits as well as other small mammals browse palo verdes. Numerous birds forage, perch and/or nest in the abundant branches.

Ethnobotany:

The ground beans were used for food by native people, when other foods were not available. The larger trees used for shelter.

[ Add'l Ref.]

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