ExplorePlants

blue palo verde

Parkinsonia florida

The blue palo verde is a beautiful tree with bright green bark and yellow flowers. It grows in warm, sunny places and provides shade for animals and people alike.

Habitat: Desert

Appearance

The blue palo verde has distinctive smooth, blue-green bark that gives the tree its name. Its branches are often thorny and its leaves are small and scarce, especially during dry periods. In spring, it bursts into a brilliant display of bright yellow, pea-like flowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusParkinsonia
blue palo verde
flowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
blue palo verde

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

It produces pods filled with seeds, which are a vital food source for many desert creatures!

Its name 'palo verde' means 'green stick' in Spanish, referring to its unique bark!

The blue palo verde's wood is very hard, historically used for tools and fuel by native peoples!

This amazing desert tree can live for over 100 years, standing strong through many summers!

Special abilities

Ability

Bark Photosynthesis

Blue palo verde can photosynthesize through its green bark, allowing it to produce energy even when it sheds its tiny leaves to save water.

Ability

Drought Deciduous

Blue palo verde can shed its small leaves during extreme drought, which helps it conserve precious water in its arid desert home.

Ability

Thorny Protector

Blue palo verde has sharp thorns along its branches that help defend it from browsing animals seeking a meal.

Measurements & details

Height
500-1500 cm
Spread
500-1000 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

eats

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

eats the seeds from pods

eats

Coyote

Canis latrans

eats seed pods fallen on ground

eats

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

browses on leaves and twigs

shelters

Curved-bill Thrasher

Toxostoma curvirostre

uses branches for nesting

Traits

Also known as

Green palo verde

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Stay on paths when exploring around trees and be careful not to touch any sharp thorns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is blue palo verde?

500-1500 cm

How wide does blue palo verde spread?

500-1000 cm

How big are the flowers on blue palo verde?

1-2 cm

When does blue palo verde bloom?

Spring

Is blue palo verde edible?

Yes

Is blue palo verde toxic?

None

What is blue palo verde's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is blue palo verde pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Plants