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Parkinsonia texana var. texana

Parkinsonia texana (A. Gray) S. Watson var. texana

Texas Paloverde, Texas Palo-verde, Palo-verde

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s): Cercidium texanum

USDA Symbol: PATET2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This green-limbed, deciduous shrub is often flat-topped and 6-15 ft. tall. It rises from a short, crooked trunk with lower semi-prostrate branches or is multi-trunked. The zig-zag branches, armed at each node with a needle-like thorn, bear colorful, yellow flowers and twice pinnate leaves.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: S. TX & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Semi-desert scrub

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky or sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Appropriate for hot, dry sites and poor soils.

Propagation

Description: Easily grown from untreated seed. Can be rooted from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in the fall or softwood cuttings taken in the summer. Fall-rooted cuttings will need winter protection.
Seed Collection: Gather pods in late summer as they begin to turn yellow-brown and dry. Seeds are often infested with weevils so early collection is recommended.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Parkinsonia texana var. texana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Parkinsonia texana var. texana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Parkinsonia texana var. texana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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