All flowers
Desert Ironwood Flower Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Desert Ironwood Flower

Olneya tesota

Strength and community.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Olneya
Native to
Southwestern United States, Northwestern Mexico
Bloom season
Late Spring, Early Summer
Type
Tree
Height
6-10 meters
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Sandy, well-drained
Water
Low
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Desert ironwood trees can live over 800 years, making them among the oldest desert plants.
  • The wood is so dense it sinks in water and can dull chainsaw blades.
  • Ironwood trees serve as nurse plants, sheltering over 500 species of plants and animals.
  • Seri people of Mexico carved the extremely hard wood into beautiful animal figurines.
  • When an ironwood tree dies, its skeleton can persist in the desert for over 1,000 years.

Color meanings

0

Strength

1

Protection

2

Longevity

Uses

  • Woodworking
  • Nurse plant
  • Traditional carvings
  • Wildlife habitat