Cercidium microphyllum     
Foothills Palo Verde    
Fabaceae Family     

Form: low branched tree with interesting irregular shape

trunk and branch structure

Seasonality: deciduous
Size: 10-20ft with equal spread; slow growth rate
Leaves: pinnate, very minute leaflets; slow growth rate
Flowers: solitary, pale yellow, blooms in late spring
Fruit: dehiscent pods, ripe in July, tan pods cling to branches
Stems/Trunks: green photosynthetic trunk, smooth bark; dense, twiggy and spiny
Range/Origin: Mohave and Sonoran deserts of Arizona, California, and Baja Mexico; elevations to 4000ft
Hardiness: to 15°F or better

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• specimen tree
• background

leaf form

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: natural rainfall; infrequent deep irrigations for more lush growth
• Soil: tolerant, good drainage
• Propagation: seed, coat is very hard, requires scarification
• Maintenance: moderate; leaf, seed and pod cleanup

NOTES:

Cercidium microphyllum in bloom

aka Littleleaf palo verde

slow grower, typically requires 3-4 years to reach 5ft nursery-grown specimens are difficult to locate, large specimens must be salvaged salvaging natural specimens is most successful when done in the hottest time of summer

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This page was first created August 15, 2001 and last modified June 1, 2006.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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