Another name for the Mexican Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeate) is Lluvia de Oro, which is Spanish for “golden rain.”
One look at the tree tells why. The stems of the leaves are long (15 to 18 inches) very narrow and drape down from the branches of the tree. On each leaf stem there are perhaps two dozen leaflets. The leaves will generally fall off during hot summer days.
In the spring and summer, yellow, five-petalled flowers continuously bloom is eye-catching sprays of color. The long leaves and golden flowers resemble "golden rain."
Interestingly, another name for the tree, Jerusalem thorn, is not a reference to Jerusalem at all but a corruption of the Spanish word girasol, which means “turning in the direction of the sun.”
Mexican Palo Verde can grow up to 30 feet high. Since it is a striking tree at any height, a large Palo Verde may be a bit overwhelming. However, when kept somewhat smaller, it makes an extremely interesting accent plant.
The tree blooms from April through August, a long flowering cycle.
The plant loves moist loam soil, but is tolerant to many soil types, including saline and calcium carbonate soils like caliche. It is also highly drought tolerant and will exist on available rainfall.
Mexican Palo Verde will grow in sun and partial shade. The tree grows very quickly.
Mexican Palo Verde can be found as far east as South Carolina, and all the way west to California. The plant has also spread across much of the American tropics as far south as Argentina. Although the plant is originally native from south Arizona to the far eastern edges of the Chihuahuan Desert (Trans Pecos), it has naturalized over the southern U.S. The tree is susceptible to freezes, so avoid planting it too far north.
Wildlife
Bees love the plant and make an exceptionally fragrant honey from the nectar. The tree also attracts butterfly species.
Birds and small mammals eat the seeds and use the tree for nesting sites and for cover. Mexican Palo Verde is relatively deer resistant.
Several Species
Mexican Palo Verde, along with its close cousins, Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida) and Yellow (Foothill) Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) is a member of the pea family (Fabaceae).
In some areas, such as Australia and Hawaii, the tree is considered invasive and, in Australia particularly, it has spread through the arid areas of tropical Australia.
Propagation
Mexican Palo Verde propagates easily from seed. Allow the seedheads to dry and then collect them. Sow indoors before last frost, or outdoors after last frost date.
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