Accession Count: 3
Common Name:
little leaf palo verde, foothill palo verde
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Cercidium microphyllum
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The foothill palo verde is a deciduous tree with a multi-trunked form. It has an alternate, pinnate leaf arrangement and each pinna has four-to-seven, green-colored leaflets.
Compound:
Cer mic
Geographic Origin:
Desert Southwest
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The foothill palo verde is native to Southern Arizona, more specifically, the Tucson Basin.
Cultivation Notes:
The foothill palo verde needs good drainage, but has minimal water requirements and does best with a monthly, deep irrigation in summer. It has irregular, slow growth and when fully grow, has a rounded crown. The foothill palo verde is also hardy tree that suffers damage at temperatures below 15℉. It is a great tree for sunny areas, but is susceptible to complications such as mistletoe and palo verde beetles.
Ethnobotany:
The foothill palo verde has wildlife value in that is produces seeds, nectar, and shaded cover. The seeds of this species were a valued food source for many of the southwestern tribes. They were eaten both raw and roasted. Some would grind the seeds into a fine flour, which would then be added to water to make a soup or drink.
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
16 - 20 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1. Walters, James E, and Balbir Backhaus. Shade and Color with Water-Conserving Plants. Timber Press, 1992.
