Texas Wildbuds
Parkinsonia aculeata
(Mexican Paloverde)
Parkinsonia aculeata, Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen Co. 8111
Parkinsonia aculeata, Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen Co. 8101
Parkinsonia aculeata, Choke Canyon State Park, McMullen Co. 8095
Parkinsonia aculeata, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Hidalgo Co. 3831
Parkinsonia aculeata, Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend National Park 4536
Parkinsonia aculeata, Boquillas Canyon, Big Bend National Park 4531
Parkinsonia aculeata, Goodwater Trail, Lake Georgetown, Williamson Co. 00159
Parkinsonia aculeata, Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park 3617
| Scientific Name | Parkinsonia aculeata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PAAC3 |
| Common Name | Mexican Paloverde, Paloverde, Jerusalem Thorn, Retama | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26826 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Arroyos, sandy plains, flood plains or low-lying areas where water accumulates. Plant: Many-branched, deciduous tree or shrub up to 30+ feet tall, smooth green bark, armed with many recurved spines; long slightly drooping branches bearing many long, delicate leaves and sprays of yellow flowers; the green bark carries out photosynthesis. Leaves: Alternate and pinnately twice-compound, protected by three sharp spines at base; initial leaflets 15 to 18 inches long, 10 to 25 ultimate leaflet pairs, each 1/8 to 3/16-inch long. Inflorescence: Many racemes 4 to 6 inches long of bright yellow flowers each up to 1 to 1-3/8 inches across arising from leaf axils; 5 broad, unequal-length yellow petals turning orange as they wither, banner petal initially with basal red-orange spots or flecks; 5 smaller separate yellow sepals. Bloom Period: April to September. Fruit: Hanging medium to light brown, leathery, legume pods, typically 1 or 2-seeded, 1-3/8 to 2-3/8 inches long. References: "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, SEINet, Vascular Plants of Williamson County by A.C. Gibson and Wildflower Center. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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