Ironwood, Desert Ironwood
Olneya tesota
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Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Tree, perennial |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Pollinators | Bees (particularly Centris pallida) |
| Has Spines | Yes |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
20-50 × 20-50 |
| Flowering Season | April-May |
| Flower Color | White, purple with yellow tinges |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 20 °F |
| Leaf Description | Pinnate (leaflets arranged on either side of the stem), greyish green |
| Fruit | Legume (bean) |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Description | Another iconic Sonoran Desert tree, ironwoods make stately and long lived specimens. Because they are one of the few low desert evergreens, these trees can cast dense shade year round. Showers of purple and white blooms appear in spring creating a contrast from the grey spiny branches. An important "nurse tree" for saguaro cactus, consider using this species as the centerpiece, or along the edges of a drought tolerant landscape. The wood is quite dense and heavy so pruning should be done while branches are still young, however less is more when it comes to pruning ironwoods. Given space to grow ironwoods can be the tallest and longest lived trees in the Sonoran Desert. |
