Fabaceae
Parkinsonia aculeata
Create a striking, low-water outdoor statement with Jerusalem Thorn. Its delicate, feathery canopy adds texture without heavy shade, while its toughness makes it a reliable choice for sunny entrances, courtyards, and heat-exposed gardens. Perfect for customers who want an attractive landscape plant that doesn’t demand constant watering—just give it sun, drainage, and occasional deep irrigation.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Jerusalem Thorn
Botanical Name: Parkinsonia aculeata
Former Name: Cercidium aculeatum
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub/small tree
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0122
Alternative Names:
Mexican palo verde
Paloverde
Retama
Jerusalem Broom
Zarrouz (Arabic: زعروز)
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Parkinsonia
Species: P. aculeata
3. Origin & Distribution
Native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Widely introduced and naturalized in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, Australia, India and parts of Asia. Common in desert landscapes and along dry riverbeds.
4. Visual Characteristics
Features slender, spiny trunks and branches. Leaves are pinnate with small, bright green leaflets that fold with drought. Produces clusters of fragrant, five-petaled yellow pea-type flowers in late spring to summer. Seed pods are flat, curved legumes, 5–10 cm long, turning brown at maturity.
5. Size & Dimensions
Typical height 3–6 m (occasionally up to 10 m in optimal conditions). Canopy spread 3–8 m. Leaves 5–10 cm long; individual leaflets 1–2 cm. Trunk diameter up to 20 cm on mature specimens.
6. Light Requirements
Full sun (requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily). Tolerates intense heat and glare; performs poorly in shade.
7. Watering Needs
Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently—allow top 5–10 cm of soil to dry out between irrigations. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
8. Soil & Potting
Prefers well-draining, sandy or gravelly soils. Tolerates poor, rocky substrates and a pH range of 6.0–8.0. Avoid heavy clay or water-retentive mixes. Ideal for in-ground planting; potted culture requires large containers with ample drainage.
9. Temperature & Humidity
USDA Zones 8b–11. Thrives in high temperatures (20–38 °C). Light frost may damage foliage; prolonged freezing (< –4 °C) can kill. Adapted to low–moderate humidity.
10. Fertilization
Low nutrient requirements. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth appears weak. Incorporate organic matter at planting to support young trees.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Low maintenance. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood, shape canopy and control suckers. Wear protective gloves to handle spines. Minimal pest management required in dry conditions.
12. Growth & Propagation
Propagated primarily by seed—scarify or soak seeds in hot water for 24 hours for faster germination (7–21 days). Semi-hardwood cuttings root with difficulty. Root suckers can be removed and transplanted.
13. Common Problems
Root rot in poorly drained soils. Pests include aphids, scale insects and caterpillars. Rare fungal leaf spots in humid climates. Pods may create litter under mature canopies.
14. Benefits & Uses
Ornamental specimen in xeriscapes, courtyards and heat-exposed gardens. Provides light shade, windbreak and erosion control. Fixes nitrogen, improves soil. Flowers attract bees; timber used for fuelwood.
15. Toxicity & Safety
All parts, especially seeds and pods, contain cytisine and other alkaloids that are toxic if ingested by livestock or humans. Spines can cause physical injury—use gloves and protective clothing when handling.
Parkinsonia aculeata
Create a striking, low-water outdoor statement with Jerusalem Thorn. Its delicate, feathery canopy adds texture without heavy shade, while its toughness makes it a reliable choice for sunny entrances, courtyards, and heat-exposed gardens. Perfect for customers who want an attractive landscape plant that doesn’t demand constant watering—just give it sun, drainage, and occasional deep irrigation.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Jerusalem Thorn
Botanical Name: Parkinsonia aculeata
Former Name: Cercidium aculeatum
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub/small tree
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0122
Alternative Names:
Mexican palo verde
Paloverde
Retama
Jerusalem Broom
Zarrouz (Arabic: زعروز)
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Parkinsonia
Species: P. aculeata
3. Origin & Distribution
Native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Widely introduced and naturalized in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, Australia, India and parts of Asia. Common in desert landscapes and along dry riverbeds.
4. Visual Characteristics
Features slender, spiny trunks and branches. Leaves are pinnate with small, bright green leaflets that fold with drought. Produces clusters of fragrant, five-petaled yellow pea-type flowers in late spring to summer. Seed pods are flat, curved legumes, 5–10 cm long, turning brown at maturity.
5. Size & Dimensions
Typical height 3–6 m (occasionally up to 10 m in optimal conditions). Canopy spread 3–8 m. Leaves 5–10 cm long; individual leaflets 1–2 cm. Trunk diameter up to 20 cm on mature specimens.
6. Light Requirements
Full sun (requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily). Tolerates intense heat and glare; performs poorly in shade.
7. Watering Needs
Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently—allow top 5–10 cm of soil to dry out between irrigations. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
8. Soil & Potting
Prefers well-draining, sandy or gravelly soils. Tolerates poor, rocky substrates and a pH range of 6.0–8.0. Avoid heavy clay or water-retentive mixes. Ideal for in-ground planting; potted culture requires large containers with ample drainage.
9. Temperature & Humidity
USDA Zones 8b–11. Thrives in high temperatures (20–38 °C). Light frost may damage foliage; prolonged freezing (< –4 °C) can kill. Adapted to low–moderate humidity.
10. Fertilization
Low nutrient requirements. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if growth appears weak. Incorporate organic matter at planting to support young trees.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Low maintenance. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood, shape canopy and control suckers. Wear protective gloves to handle spines. Minimal pest management required in dry conditions.
12. Growth & Propagation
Propagated primarily by seed—scarify or soak seeds in hot water for 24 hours for faster germination (7–21 days). Semi-hardwood cuttings root with difficulty. Root suckers can be removed and transplanted.
13. Common Problems
Root rot in poorly drained soils. Pests include aphids, scale insects and caterpillars. Rare fungal leaf spots in humid climates. Pods may create litter under mature canopies.
14. Benefits & Uses
Ornamental specimen in xeriscapes, courtyards and heat-exposed gardens. Provides light shade, windbreak and erosion control. Fixes nitrogen, improves soil. Flowers attract bees; timber used for fuelwood.
15. Toxicity & Safety
All parts, especially seeds and pods, contain cytisine and other alkaloids that are toxic if ingested by livestock or humans. Spines can cause physical injury—use gloves and protective clothing when handling.