Foothills Palo Verde
Parkinsonia microphylla · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood, Native, Desert Tree
Plant Family
Fabaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental, Shade Tree, Flowering, Desert Landscape Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type, no widely recognized distinct cultivars
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11, tolerating intense desert heat and mild frosts.
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized desert tree with an irregular, rounded, and spreading crown. Notable for its distinctive photosynthetic green trunk and branches, open and airy canopy, and a moderate to slow growth rate.
Leaf Characteristics
Tiny, bipinnate compound leaves that are very small, grayish-green, and drought-deciduous, often dropping quickly to conserve water.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, striking green bark on younger branches and trunks due to chlorophyll content, which aids in photosynthesis. Lower trunk darkens, roughens, and develops slight furrows with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and southeastern California, as well as northwestern Mexico.
Growing Season
Active growth occurs during spring and summer, often dropping leaves and going semi-dormant during extreme dry or hot spells. Produces bright yellow flowers in spring, typically around April.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and excellent drainage. Extremely drought tolerant once established, needing very little supplemental water.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 15 to 30 feet in height with an equal or greater spread. Moderate growth rate with a lifespan of several decades.
Special Characteristics
Highly drought and heat tolerant, low water-use landscaping plant, striking green trunk and branches, profuse yellow spring blossoms, and adaptability to poor, rocky desert soils.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial shade, shelter, and nesting sites for desert birds and small mammals. Flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators, while the seeds are consumed by various desert fauna.