Blue Palo Verde
Parkinsonia florida · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Fabaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental / Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species, no specific named cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized tree with an open, spreading crown, smooth blue-green to gray-green photosynthetic bark, and an upright multi-stemmed or low-branching habit
Leaf Characteristics
Small, alternate, pinnately compound leaves that are sparsely distributed and quickly dropped during dry periods to conserve water
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, distinctive blue-green or gray-green bark containing chlorophyll, allowing the tree to photosynthesize even when leafless
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico
Growing Season
Spring through autumn; blooms brilliant yellow flowers in spring, can drop leaves during extreme drought and utilize photosynthetic green bark
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and very low water once established, possessing exceptional drought tolerance
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 20 to 40 feet with a similar or wider spread, moderate growth rate, and a lifespan of 50 to over 100 years
Special Characteristics
Exceptional drought and heat tolerance, urban pollution tolerance, erosion control, and striking yellow spring floral display
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial desert shade, nesting sites for birds, and nectar for native bees and pollinators when in bloom