About Parkinsonia praecox (Ruiz & Pav.) Hawkins
Parkinsonia praecox (synonym Cercidium praecox), commonly called palo brea or Sonoran palo verde, is a flowering plant species belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. It is native to dry Neotropical regions, ranging from Mexico to Argentina. This small tree grows 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) tall, and is typically slightly wider than it is tall. Parkinsonia praecox is a popular ornamental plant used in xeriscaping. It is valued for its early-blooming yellow flower clusters, its chartreuse-to-green bark, and its graceful branching structure. This drought-adapted species sheds its leaves during the dry season. Too much watering causes the tree to grow quickly and produce weak wood, which makes it very likely to collapse.
