April 2022 Challenge Palo Verde Trees
Sorry for the late notice. It has been a very very busy spring.
This months challenge is Palo Verdes Trees... Do you know how to tell the difference between the foothills and blue Palo Verde? Well your in luck, we are going to provide you with the skinny :-)
Palo Verde-
• Perennial tree grows up to 25-30 ft tall.
• Keystone species-meaning many wildlife species rely on them for shelter, food and shade. Primary nurse tree for Saguaro and other cacti.
• Photosynthesize through the bark. This is a drought adaptation as the leaves drop during long dry periods.
• Arizona State Tree
Characteristic differences:
Foothills Palo Verde
(Parkinsonia microphylla) :
- Teeny tiny leaves
- Seed Pods are constricted between the seeds
- The Flower has a white banner
Blue Palo Verde
(Parkinsonia florida)
- Leaves are in clusters
- Seed pods are not constricted
- Flower banner petal is yellow (can have small red/orange spots)
- Bark is smoother
Click Here for the Flyer POWO</a
They are in glorious bloom this month!
How many can you spot?
Enjoy April at the parks
Natural Resource Specialist-Juanita
