Spring is a wonderland in the Sonoran Desert. The Mesquites are freshly brimming with intricate chartreuse leaves and the Ocotillos are ablaze with orange blooms, bright like torches against the blue. The desert is abundant with beauty to look forward too; don’t even get me started on the surprisingly exotic blooms of cacti or the wildflowers popping up everywhere. Yet somehow, amongst such a strong supporting cast, the real star of the show is the breathtaking Palo Verde.
I grew up in the desert, so I probably took these beauties for granted. They are really grabbing my attention this year. Returning after a fifteen year hiatus has certainly changed my perspective. I am fascinated by things I might not have even noticed before. I know I learned about the Sonoran Desert in grade school, but I’ve been experiencing a desire to peek around and see what I can re-learn. It turns out, Palo Verdes are pretty interesting.
Arizona has two native species, the Foothills Palo Verde and the Blue Palo Verde, both gorgeous. There is also a friendly hybrid sans thorns called Desert Museum. And yes, as the title suggests, Palo Verde translates to mean ‘green stick’. A fitting name as most days the description is fairly accurate.
It’s a lovely tree any time of year. In winter the graceful and delicate branches break shadows into webs across the sand. They decorate the desert like spindly green statues. In April the bright yellow blooms literally pop like popcorn, weighing branches down with buttery gold. They bloom over the course of only a few weeks and then all that is left of them is a honey colored carpet on the desert floor. By monsoon season the seed pods will adorn the tree, bent and bulbous like odd little cocoons.
Palo Verdes are drought deciduous, meaning they can shed leaves in response to water scarcity. In times of ample water they can sprout leaves in what feels like an instant. They are clever with their green bark, as they can conduct photosynthesis through it, making leaves a luxury rather than necessity.
They are great neighbors; they really do contribute to their communities. As does any tree, the green stick happily provides housing for birds and bugs and playgrounds for cats and squirrels. Each tree produces a massive number of flowers, all inviting pollinators. Their lacy shade makes them proper nurses for young cacti. They are all around good guys.
The thing that I’m the most excited about is that which spoke to my inner foodie. I somehow managed to not know or forgot that I can eat them! This is a new thing I’m trying this year. The flowers are edible raw, an abundant garnish for pretty much any meal. Maybe not spaghetti, but a plate of fresh Mexican food would look great in flowers. They are slightly sweet with a subtly bitter aftertaste. The seeds are edible too; they can be eaten like edamame! In a few months I’ll be trying that for sure.
Anyone with allergies might disagree with my glowing review, but I must insist. Certainly, should you live in close proximity to a tree, you will probably suffer the consequences. Right now, when the wind blows, it literally rains little yellow flowers. That said, Palo Verdes have large, heavy pollen that’s unable to join the massive amount of allergens riding the gusty spring winds. So at least it makes an effort to minimize its imposition somewhat.
My glowing review could also be countered with the argument that they are messy. I must concede that they are. I can’t win this one. They produce flowers, beans and, when conditions are lush, leaves and then they promptly drop them all. Even so, you could also argue that they supply organic matter to nourish wildlife and the desert soil below. I suppose it depends on your perspective.
Despite their beauty, utility, and their slight faux pas, what I most covet is the feeling they bring. My back yard is lined with Palo Verdes; they fill the space above the slate fence with either a mangled mossy green or a vivd yellow, as they appear right now. The yellow blooms put on quite a show. They often distract me, I find myself staring in awe. They manage to transform my yard into a magical land. I’m left with the lingering impression that I’ve witnessed something truly special.
Palo Verdes are the desert’s answer to cherry blossoms in Kyoto. They can transform a mundane parking lot into a breathtaking vista. They line the streets with fluffs of yellow that match the wildflowers and accentuate the towering sahuaros and fuzzy chollas. It’s so picturesque that getting stuck in traffic isn’t as bad.
Before the blazing heat of summer arrives, the Palo Verde trees remind me that living in the desert isn’t all bad. There is nowhere quite like it anywhere else on Earth. I’ll keep reminding myself of this next time I try to sit on my scalding leather car seat in shorts or find myself wondering which is hotter: the heat from the sun or the radiant heat from the pavement.
I used to travel for work and recall exploring the Puget Sound area during the time of year when Hydrangeas bloom. They seemed to be everywhere I looked. There were different colors and sizes and they were all blooming profusely. I was blown away. Seeing them felt so special; I felt lucky to have witnessed them.
If you’ve visited Victoria in the Spring, as the city bursts into bloom, you have experienced another stunning display that may well have blown your mind. Crowds of eager, competitive flowers in all colors sprawl and reach out, hoping to grab attention. Strolling the city is spectacular.
No matter where you go, there seems to be something beautiful to get excited about. Who is the show stopper in your area? Is there an epic display that your community welcomes each year?