Parkinsonia microphylla

Common Name: Foothill Palo Verde, Yellow Palo Verde
Oˊodham Name: Kuk Ce:hedagĭ Audio
Group: Trees － Desert

Description

Parkinsonia microphylla is the dominant shrub or tree on hillsides in the Upland Subdivision of the Sonoran Desert. The scientific name refers to the tiny leaves that form along the spine-terminated stems in the Spring or after a good rain. It is usually 10 to 12 feet tall but may reach 25 ft tall, and is found between 500 and 4000 ft. Also see Parkinsonia florida and Parkinsonia aculeata. Until recently this species was included in the genus Cercidium, as Cercidium microphyllum.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Rosidae

Order Fabales

Family Fabaceae － Pea family

Genus Parkinsonia L. － paloverde

Species Parkinsonia microphylla Torr. － yellow paloverde

More Information

USDA Plant Profile and Map