Ironwood

Olneya tesota

Irregularly-spread leguminous tree up to 30 ft. tall with lavender to white pea-like flowers, blooming April to June. Occurs on gravelly to silty soils along desert washes, foothills and in sandy canyons of desert scrub and riparian habitats, endemic to the Sonoran Desert region; below 3,000 ft. elevation. Evergreen except in cold desert winters; used as a frost indicator when selecting locations for citrus orchards. One of the heaviest woods in the world. Spines and branching make it a valuable nurse plant. Use as a xeriscape ornamental in landscaping. Seeds are valued by various wildlife and the leaves are browsed by desert bighorn sheep and mule deer. Attracts insects and numerous bird species. Pollinated by native bees, flies, butterflies, honeybees and hummingbirds and is the caterpillar host of the Funereal duskywing butterfly.