Botanical Name: Parkinsonia aculeata
Common Name: Mexican Palo Verde, Jerusalem Thorn
Type of Plant: dicot: tree
Character deciduous
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an upright to spreading, multi-trunk plant with distinct smooth green thorny trunks and branches; branches arch outward and droop to form a loose, widely rounded canopy
Height 20-30' (40')
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full sun preferred; tolerates partial
Soil thrives in most except wet poorly drained soils
Hardiness hardy (zones 12-24); best suited for warm, low-elevations
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnately compound, clustered on short branches mostly sessile; 6-12" (18") long; each leaf has 40-80 tiny bright green oval leaflets
Flowers bright yellow, turning orange in the centers; 1/2-3/4" wide in slender 3"-6" long racemes; cover almost entire canopy; summer
Fruit a pod: cylindrical, 2-6" long, constricted between seeds
 
Propagation:
seed (scarify)
 
Usage:
a beautiful accent tree for its loose open canopy and spectacular summer flower display; good for filtered shade, erosion control on dry slopes; usable as large barrier if left unpruned; messy
 
Landscape Care:
Watering an occasional deep soak; is very drought resistant after established
Fertilizing none is required
Pruning head high and develop open framework; thin out
Pests/Diseases relatively free
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Northern Mexico
Family: Fabaceae

Notes:
 
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