palo brea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sonoran palo verde

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cercidium plurifoliolatum
• Cercidium praecox
• Caesalpinia brea
• Cercidium goldmanii
• Cercidium unijugum
• Cercidium spinosum
• Cercidium viride
• Caesalpinia praecox
• Rhetinophloeum viride

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Parkinsonia praecox, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the Fabaceae family and is situated within the genus Parkinsonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence throughout various regions of Mexico. Specifically, it can be found growing in the central part of the country, known as Mexico Central. Its distribution also extends into the Northeast region, covering much of Mexico Northeast. Furthermore, the species is prevalent along the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, the plant is documented in both the Mexico Northwest and the Mexico Southwest territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Parkinsonia praecox is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse vertical range of environments, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This broad altitudinal gradient suggests an adaptable physiological nature, allowing the species to thrive in varied climatic zones ranging from lowland tropical habitats to higher-altitude montane ecosystems. Its distribution across such a significant elevational range indicates a tolerance for fluctuating temperature regimes and varying moisture availability, which are typical of the different ecological niches found between 0 and 2000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Parkinsonia praecox is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground on woody stems, a structural strategy that defines its life form. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Parkinsonia praecox is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. This species is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological habit, it is classified as a terrestrial plant, showing no aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 5 meters, maintaining a robust, woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Parkinsonia praecox is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its native tropical habitats. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than hosting symbiotic bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Parkinsonia praecox is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly uniform physical profile. Based on botanical data, the seed mass of this species is remarkably consistent, with a mean mass of 0.02723 g. This uniformity is absolute across the sampled population, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed masses are identical at 0.02723 g. Such precise standardization in seed mass suggests a highly stable reproductive mechanism and consistent nutrient allocation during the development of the embryo within the fruit.

Seed mass mean:

0.02723 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Parkinsonia praecox has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-O-METHYL-ALPHA-D-GLUCURONIC ACID, Polysaccharide, alpha-D-glucuronic acid, arabinose, beta-D-Glucuronic acid.

4-O-METHYL-ALPHA-D-GLUCURONIC ACID

1. Carbohydrate research

Polysaccharide

1. Carbohydrate research

alpha-D-glucuronic acid

1. Carbohydrate research

arabinose

1. Carbohydrate research

beta-D-Glucuronic acid

1. Carbohydrate research

xylose

1. Carbohydrate research

Preparations

Parkinsonia praecox has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include gum exudate.

Gum exudate

1. Carbohydrate research