Blue palo verde
Cercidium floridum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows to 8-9 m high. It has a short thick trunk. The branches and bark are smooth bluish green. They are spiny. The flowers are golden yellow blossoms.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. They suit hot, dry areas. It grows up to 1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Central America, Egypt, Mexico, North Africa, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The immature seeds and pods are eaten as a vegetable. The dried seeds are ground and made into breads, cakes and drinks. The leaves are eaten as a green.

Edible parts

Seeds, pods, leaves, fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cercidium floridum Benth. ex A. Gray; Cercidium torreyanum (S. Watson) Sarg.; Parkinsonia florida (A. Gray) S. Watson; Parkinsonia torreyana S. Watson;