Botanical Name: Olneya tesota Add
Common Name: Desert Ironwood  
Plant photo of: Olneya tesota
California Native Plant
  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

Lavender, Pink

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: George Hull MSN
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery
  • Description

  • Notes

This Sonoran desert native has attractive gray bark. Frost or drought can induce leaf drop. Summer monsoons can trigger regrowth. The stems are armed with vicious thorns. In spring there are masses of lavender pea like flowers. This tree needs no water in deep soil. The seeds are edible. Leaves are 2" long and 1" wide. Do heavy pruning only in cooler months. It is native < 2500' in sandy washes. Give some frost protection when young. Mistletoe can infest.