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Retama

Parkinsonia texana

Other common name(s):

Texas Paloverde

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Coastal Sand Plain, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

30
to
40
ft.

Spread

12
to
20
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Plant on south side out of north wind. All seasons: Remove thorny branches from ground. Trees do best in soil not too wet or too dry. To prevent drought defoliation, water during dry periods, cut back on watering to reduce seedlings. Fast growing. Prefers full sun and good drainage but will grow in any soil type.

Comments

Blooms April-June. Fast growing, short lived. Green trunk and branches. Palo Verde available in local commercial nurseries are most likely Parkinsonia aculeata which is very similar and widespread in Texas, but it is actually native to Arizona. With time it could be considered naturalized. The distribution for the Texas native species, Parkinsonia texana, is more restricted to the Southern Texas Plains Ecoregion. Deer may browse this tree. Attracts nectar insects. Provides seeds and nesting for wildlife.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 295. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PAAC3. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Parkinsonia+aculeata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11537&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26826#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014

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