What are these desert trees? (flowers, landscaping, Arizona, south) - Garden -Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

steiconi · 04-25-2019, 02:00 PM

I'm at 2500' elevation in southern Arizona, and these trees have been neglected for years but are in lovely bloom now. Can anybody recognize them and give me an ID?

This one looks like a Fabaceae, with long, slender seedpods and 1" pink flowers that look like sweetpeas. Tree is about 12' tall, looks like it has been pruned to keep it off the roof. Completely deciduous, nearly black bark, fresh green leaves.

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And this one is about 5' tall, dramatic yellow flowers about an inch across, not counting the bright red stamens.
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gemstone1 · 04-25-2019, 05:28 PM

The first is a Desert Willow, usually inhabits washes. I cannot name the second.

Regards
Gemstone1

Nn2036 · 04-25-2019, 05:50 PM

The first one is Desert willow.

I don't know the second one.

If you post it here https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisplant/ , you will get the answer. I knew so many new plants from this

steiconi · 04-25-2019, 06:42 PM

Thanks for the first ID. We thought it was dead, glad we didn't cut it down!

ABQConvict · 04-25-2019, 07:02 PM

The first one has already been correctly identified as a Desert Willow. I will add that it is not a true willow, but related to Catalpa (note the similar "bean pods" and flowers). They are a really nice, native plant to the Southwest.

The second tree is Bird of Paradise. They are actually a legume, relative of beans and peas (this one is Fabaceae).

The Bird Of Paradise is originally from Argentina and southern South America in general. When I worked in landscaping I used to have to cut/pull lots of them from yards of people who were xeriscaping.

Zoisite · 04-25-2019, 07:08 PM

2nd one - https://www.google.ca/search?q=Deser...w=1120&bih=583

steiconi · 04-25-2019, 11:25 PM

Thanks for the IDs.
Checking out pix, looks like we also have red bird of paradise.

I bought a "poinciana" (aka yellow bird of paradise) tree in Hawaii. It grew really well, but didn't bloom. When it reached 20' tall, we realized it was a nasty albizia and had to pay to have it removed. The danger of buying plants from home growers.