AZ Arboretums

Cercidium praecox
(Cercidium plurifoliolatum)

Desert zinnia

Common: Palo brea, Sonoran palo verde
Family: Leguminosae
Origin: Native to central Sonora, Mexico and Baja California
Sunset Zones: 10-14, 18-20
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Water: Drought tolerant, but looks best with deep widely-spaced irrigation. Water every month or two until established, then only during long droughts.

Popular "designer" tree favored by landscape professionals for its distinctive appearance.

Umbrella form. At maturity, canopy will be approximately 20 ft. high. Angular growth habit, semi-evergreen.

Bark remains green, even with age. Beware of hybrids that do not retain green bark or have distinctive growth habit.

Yellow flowers. Attracts birds. When it blooms in May, all branches look like yellow rods.