Desert ironwood, Ironwood
Olneya tesota
Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Lavender. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Olneya tesota is a TREE growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a medium rate. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Desert washes below 600 metres.
South-western N. America - California to Arizona and Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed - raw or cooked. A similar taste to peanuts.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Wood - very hard, it can blunt a saw.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Screen, Specimen, Street tree. 257362 This species requires an almost frost-free climate. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist