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palo verde

Member profile details

PLANT PROFILE SHEET PDF

http://leafnetworkaz.org:80/resources/PLANT%20PROFILES/Paloverde_profile.pdf

IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

palo verde

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Parkinsonia florida (Benth. ex A.Gray) S. Wats.; Parkinsonia microphylla Torr.

Family

Fabaceae

Spanish Name

palo verde

Species Description

Native monoecious shrub or tree with spreading crown, and irregular, intricate terminal branching. Bark is thin and photosynthetic. Pinnately compound leaves (bluish-green in Parkinsonia florida; yellow green in P. microphylla), small, drought-deciduous. Flowers numerous, yellow, borne in 1-inch long clusters. Fruits are 2-3 inch long leguminous pods with constrictions between the pods.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Native of Arizona

Natural Range

Southwestern U.S. and Mexico

Natural Habitat

Slopes, ridges, bajadas, plains, arroyos in Sonoran desert thornscurb. Foothills palo verde grows on slopes and plains, while blue palo verde prefers desert washes along with ironwood and mesquite.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Native Americans used the seeds of palo verde species for food. Southwest tribes cooked ground seeds into porridge.

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Tree
Shrub

Tree or Understory

Tree

Other Growth Characteristics

Thorns / Spines

Growth Rate

Slow (foothills); moderate (blue)

Canopy Diameter

25-30 feet

Tree Height

20-30 feet

Lifespan

Long-lived

Chill Hours

None required

Freeze Tolerance

Palo verde are hardy to 10 degrees F.

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Plant palo verde in full sun. Palo verdes drop nitrogen-rich leaf, seedpod, branch, blossom, nest, and bird litter to the ground, creating a protected, fertile, and shaded germination zone for saguaro cacti and other desert plants. Desert animals also seek refuge and food from palo verde trees.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 4000 ft.

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)
LOW DESERT: Phoenix, Lake Havasu City, Yuma - USDA Zones 9b-10a (25-35ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Very Low

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

None

Notes on Species-Specific Water Needs

Palo verde trees may need supplemental irrigation to establish.

CARE

Pollination

Insect pollinated; attracts bees.

Soils

Palo verde trees prefer well-drained soils.

Propagation

Propagated by seed; readily hybridizes with other palo verde species.

Pest & Disease Control

Cultivated blue palo verde trees are sometimes damaged by mite infestations. True mistletoe can affect all Parkinsonia species. Manual removal is the only practical solution, though it will continue to grow within tree branches. Since mistletoe is a part of the desert ecology, it is an aesthetic decision whether to remove it on lightly infested trees. Mistletoe berries are a primary food source of desert birds, and only in a few situations does mistletoe warrant removal. Palo verde root borer may also affect trees.

Pruning Notes

Blue palo verde trees generally require more pruning than other cultivated palo verdes, because they tend to spread and have more secondary branches. Pruning can include raising the crown base height to give the tree a more urban-friendly form.

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

The flowers and seeds of both species are edible. Both green and dry pods can be harvested, preferably before the summer monsoon rains start. Green palo verde seeds can be harvested when the pod is green and the seed inside has developed but is still small, green, and tender. When green they can be eaten like peas or edamame. The green seeds should be sweet. Dry seeds are best eaten simply sprouted, or sprouted and then parched/roasted. To sprout: soak overnight and then rinse daily until seed coat splits open and sprout emerges. Remove sprouts by squeezing the split seed coat. Rinse with clean water and then use sprouts raw or lightly cooked. To parch/roast: Sprout seeds just until the tiny root emerges (1-2 days). Dry seeds in the sun, solar oven, or conventional oven set to 150 F. Once dry, put seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat to cook until seeds pop. Season with salt or other spices.

Harvest Months

April
May
June
July
August

Harvest Months Notes

flowers - April; green seed - May & June; dry seed - July & August

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

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This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.