Desert ironwood
Olneya tesota
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
An evergreen tree. It grows 4.5-9 m high and spreads 3.8-8 m wide. It has a short trunk. It can have several stems. It has a broad crown. The leaves are greyish-green. They are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 5 cm long. The flowers are like pea flowers and are pink or light purple. They grow in clusters. The pods have 1-4 seeds.
There is one Olneya species.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean or subtropical plant. It grows in arid regions in North America. It does best in full sun and in very well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America, USA, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. They can be used in casseroles. The seeds can be dried and stored. They can be ground into flour and used in cakes. The water is often changed several times. The roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee.
Edible parts
Seeds
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Ironwood, Olneya