Blue Palo Verde

Scientific Name: Parkinsonia florida (Benth. ex Gray) S. Wats.
Synonym: Cercidium floridum, Cercidium torreyanum
Family: Fabaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 10-14,18-20,29
USDA: 8-10

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 10°F (-12°C)

Heat Tolerance: Extremely heat resistant

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Southwestern California, Arizona, northwestern Mexico

Growth Habits: Drought deciduous tree, up to 30 feet tall (9 m), short trunk; smooth buish-green bark; leafless, or temporary bipinnate leaves, 0.4 to 0.8 inch long (1-2 cm), 1 pair of pinnae, 1 to 3 pairs of leaflets

Watering Needs: Little to moderate water

Propagation: Seed

Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida), U.S.D.A. Drawing, courtesy Hunt Institute

The Blue Palo Verde is still generally found under the name of 'Cercidium floridum'.

Blooming Habits:
In the spring, the Blue Palo Verde is covered by light yellow flowers, 0.5 to 0.72 inch in diameter (12-18 mm).

Fruiting Habits:
Glabrous, flattened pods, 1.6 to 3.2 inch in diameter (4-8 cm), 0.3 to 0.4 inch wide (0.7-1 cm), with 1 to 8 seeds, often slightly constricted between the seeds. The seeds are olive-brown, oblong, 0.3 to 0.4 inch long (0.75-1 cm).