Yellow Paloverde
Parkinsonia microphylla
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Stan Shebs
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Parkinsonia
- Species:
- Parkinsonia microphylla
- USDA Symbol:
- PAMI5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★★☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hubbard's silk moth (Syssphinx hubbardi), Syssphinx heiligbrodti, Syssphinx quadrilineata, tricolor buckmoth (Hemileuca tricolor)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown after fire; seeds are heat-stimulated to germinate.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm stratification required — 7–14 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy; warm stratification may improve germination.
Pre-treatment: Scarification of the hard outer seed coat using hand pruners or sandpaper, followed by a 24-hour soak to confirm penetration of the seed coat. Discard any seeds that float as this indicates insect infestation.
Establishment: Seeds should be collected from sources where other Parkinsonia species are not found to avoid cross-pollination. Collection should occur from mid-June to mid-July, as soon as seed pod and seed are dry but before they fall to the ground.
Source: npn.rngr.net