University of Arizona Campus Arboretum

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Walking around these days, you may have noticed quite a few bright yellow trees. This is because of the Parkinsonia florida, or the Blue Palo Verde, is in full bloom! The part of the species name “florida” references the beautiful flowers produced by the species. For a brief period in early Spring, these trees are enveloped by the small, yellow, 5-petaled, pea-like flowers. The 'blue' in its common name refers to the bluish-green color of the partially mature bark. When young, the bark is green-yellow but it shifts toward blue, and then finally gray when it is very old.

This bushy tree is native to the Sonoran Desert and is commonly found in and around washes. It usually only reaches heights of about 25 feet and it is a fairly short-lived tree rarely exceeding 100 years. Like other members of the Parkinsonia genus, it has green stems that perform photosynthesis. The ability to carry out photosynthesis in stem tissues is useful as the tree is drought deciduous meaning it loses all its leaves in dry periods to reduce water loss. As a result of its adaptation to dry climates, it is a common xeriscaping plant found all over Tucson and southern Arizona.

Edition: 
Phoenix
Tucson
Issue: 
April 2017