Desert Ironwood
Olneya tesota
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Olneya
- Species:
- Olneya tesota
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 20-40 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- feb, mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- Pink, Purple
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained desert soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to very dry
- Notes:
- native to arid desert regions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Soak seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. No scarification needed. Alternatively, seeds can be directly sown to blotter paper without any pretreatment.
Establishment: Different trees will flower more or less each year depending upon rainfall in immediate area. Seeds are collected from mid June to mid July or in August when pods have matured and begin to split open. The plant is found in arid areas of Southern California, Arizona and Lower California.
Source: npn.rngr.net