Accession Count: 8
Common Name:
palo brea
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Parkinsonia praecox
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The palo brea is a deciduous desert tree with an alternate, pinnate leaf arrangement and one to two pairs of leaflets. It has a multi-trunked form with angular growth and distinctive lime-green bark. The branches have many thorns.
Compound:
Par pra
Geographic Origin:
Mexican Desert
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The palo brea is known to have originated in Sonora, Baja California, Mexico, Venezuela, and Peru.
Cultivation Notes:
Parkinsonia praecox requires good drainage, but minimal or monthly water. It has a moderately fast growth rate and is semi hardy, suffering damage at temperatures below 25℉. P. praecox is also susceptible to problems such as mistletoe and palo verde beetles. This tree is suitable for full-sun light conditions.
Ethnobotany:
Parkinsonia praecox has landscape value outstanding by itself or as a patio tree.
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1. Mielke, Judy. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. University of Texas Press, 1993.
