Blue palo verde

Appearance

''Parkinsonia florida'' grows to heights of 10–12 metres . It is a rapidly growing large shrub or small tree, and rarely survives to 100 years. Compared to the closely related ''Parkinsonia microphylla'' , it appears more decumbent in overall form, is taller, and matures more quickly.

The plant's trunk, branches, and leaves are blue-green in color, hence the common name. The plant is drought-deciduous, shedding its foliage for most of the year, leafing out after rainfall. Photosynthesis is performed by the blue-green branches and twigs, regardless of absent leaves.

The flowers are bright yellow, and pea-like, which cover the tree in late spring. They attract pollinators such as bees, beetles, and flies. They are followed by seed pods which are slightly larger and flatter and have harder shells than the foothill paloverde. These are a food source for small rodents and birds.

Distribution

This plant is primarily found in the Sonoran Colorado Desert of southeastern California, and the Sonoran Deserts of southern Arizona and of northwestern Sonora state . It is found predominantly in desert washes or ''bajadas'', a result of its need for water, although occasionally it can be found in creosote desert scrub habitat, accessing seeps in desert hills up to 3,600 feet . Also found in the far eastern Mojave Desert of California in the 'upper' Lower Colorado River Valley, and occasionally in the Mojave's mountains.