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Introduction
The common name for this plant is The Foothills Palo Verde. The scientific name for a Palo Verde is Cercidium Microphyllum. It belongs to the leguminosae family, or pea family. |
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Adaptations
The tiny yellow flowers along the edge of a branch are adapted to form seed pods that attract animals. They eat the seed pods after the flowers have matured. After the animal digests it and gets it out of their system, they are spread around in different places. Later on they will grow and make new trees. The most famous adaptation is the green bark. This allows the Palo Verde to photosynthesize, even without leaves. |
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Ethnobiology
The Palo Verde's seeds can be ground up and used as flour. You can also get red face paint from the flower. The Seri indians used the seeds and flowers as a food source. The Seri indians also made necklaces out of the seeds |
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My Questions
Inside, the Palo Verde bark smells like fruit. Could the bark be used as medicine? There are lots of little leaves on the tree in the spring time. I wonder if the leaves get any bigger? |
| Bibliography | Field Guide
to Plants of Arizona
Between the Desert and the Sea Cactus Shadows High School Students |
| Web Page By | Nick & Jessie (last update March 22, 1999) |