Botanical Name: Cercidium floridum
Common Name: Blue palo verde Type of Plant: dicot: tree Character deciduous Habit of Growth: Overall Shape an upright, intricately branched shrub or multi-stemmed small tree, with smooth bluish-green bark; the canopy becomes broadly rounded with age; small branchlets are spiny Height 15' - 25' Spread equal Growth Rate slow-moder. Environment: Exposure outdoors full sun required – likes heat; grows poorly in shade Soil prefers loose, coarse-textured soils; tolerates most Hardiness hardy (zones 10-14, 18-21): thrives in hot inland habitats Morphology: Leaves bipinnately compound, small, alternate; with 2-4 pinnae – each pinna has 2-4 pairs of tiny, oval, blue-green leaflets; leaves drop off during periods of drought Flowers yellow, 1/2" across, in axillary clusters (racemes), 2"-4" long; flowers fragrant; March-July Fruit a pod: 2"-4" long, flattened, somewhat constricted between the seeds Propagation: seed (scarify for best germination) Usage: a small accent tree prized for its profuse display of yellow flowers and loose airy canopy (similar to Mexican palo verde but smaller); an extremely drought-tolerant plant once established; light-filtered shade for patios; tub plant Landscape Care: Watering periodic deep-soak irrigation will promote faster and more lush growth Fertilizing a balanced fertilizer, in spring, promotes a more dense and rapid growth Pruning develop an open framework of primary branches; thin out occasionally to enhance the overall appearance Pests/Diseases relatively free Special Conditions/Other retains foliage for longer periods if watered creosote bush scrub habitats, in washes of the Origin: Colorado Desert Family: Fabaceae Notes: |
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