| Blue palo verde | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tree in flower | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Genus: | Parkinsonia |
| Species: | P. florida |
| Binomial name | |
| Parkinsonia florida | |
Parkinsonia florida, theblue palo verde (syn.Cercidium floridum), is a species ofpalo verde native to theSonoran Deserts in theSouthwestern United States and NorthwesternMexico.[1][2] Its name means "green pole or stick" in Spanish, referring to the green trunk and branches, that performphotosynthesis.
Parkinsonia florida grows to heights of 33–39 feet (10–12 m). It is a rapidly growing large shrub or smalltree, and rarely survives to 100 years. Compared to the closely relatedParkinsonia microphylla (foothill paloverde), it appears more decumbent in overall form, is taller, and matures more quickly.
The plant's trunk, branches, and leaves are gray-green in color, hence the common name. The plant is drought-deciduous, shedding its foliage for most of the year, leafing out after rainfall.Photosynthesis is performed by the gray-green branches and twigs, regardless of absent leaves.[3]
The flowers are bright yellow, andpea-like, which cover the tree in late spring. They attractpollinators such asbees,beetles, andflies. They are followed by seed pods which are slightly larger and flatter and have harder shells than the foothill paloverde. These are a food source for small rodents and birds.[3]
This plant is primarily found in the SonoranColorado Desert of southeasternCalifornia, and the Sonoran Deserts of southernArizona and of northwesternSonora state (Mexico). It is found predominantly in desert washes orbajadas, a result of its need for water, although occasionally it can be found increosote desert scrub habitat, accessingseeps in desert hills up to 3,600 feet (1,100 m).[4][5] Also found in the far easternMojave Desert of California in the northernLower Colorado River Valley, and occasionally in the Mojave's mountains.[2][4]
The plant's beans were used as a food source, and wood for carvingladles, by theindigenousQuechan,Mojave, andAkimel O'odham.[6] The Akimel andTohono Oʼodham both ate the beans when soft and immature and cooked whole; they also ground the ripe seeds into flour to eat asatole or gruel.[7]The flowers are sweet and edible either fresh or cooked.
Parkinsonia florida is cultivated as anornamental plant and tree by specialtyplant nurseries, for planting as ashrub or multi-trunked small tree indrought tolerant andwildlife gardens of suitable climates.[8][9] It offers an unusual green-blue silhouette in gardens, and delicately patterned light shade overpatios.[8]
The Irish botanistThomas Coulter was the first to categorizeParkinsonia florida. He obtained specimens nearHermosillo, in Sonora, Mexico, in 1830.
The blue palo verde is thestate tree ofArizona.[10] In 1966, it was also named the "city tree" ofSouth Miami, Florida.[11]
Media related toParkinsonia florida at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toParkinsonia florida at Wikispecies