Mexican palo verde (Parkinsonia aculeata) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,232 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Mexican palo verde: observations by month (U.S.)
About Mexican palo verde
Parkinsonia aculeata is a species of perennial flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Common names include palo verde, Mexican palo verde, Parkinsonia, Jerusalem thorn, and jelly bean tree.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Mexican palo verde by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,136 | April | Mar–Apr |
| California | 56 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Arizona | 31 | May | Apr–May |
| Nevada | 5 | May | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Mexican palo verde?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Mexican palo verde most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, California, Arizona.