Jerusalem-thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata, Sp. Pl.: 375 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 375 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Parkinsonia

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. U.S.A. to N. Argentina, Caribbean

Description

The Jerusalem-thorn, scientifically known as Parkinsonia aculeata, is a striking member of the Fabaceae family. This resilient plant, first cataloged in 1753, boasts a notable presence across the southern United States, extending its reach to northern Argentina and gracing the Caribbean with its vivid greenery and delicate blossoms.

Characterized by its thorny branches and distinct, linear leaves, the Jerusalem-thorn serves both ornamental and functional purposes in the regions it inhabits. The tree’s bright yellow flowers bloom in clusters, adding a touch of vibrant color to dry, arid landscapes. Interestingly, these flowers eventually give way to slender, seed-filled pods, continuing the life cycle of this hardy species.

Parkinsonia aculeata’s ability to thrive in various challenging environments underscores its adaptability and toughness. It is commonly found in open, sunny locations where it can take full advantage of its drought-resistant qualities, making it a vital plant in xeriscaping—a landscaping method aimed at conserving water.

The Jerusalem-thorn’s natural range is a testament to its versatility. Across a spectrum of climates from the warm deserts of the southern United States, through the diverse tropical settings of the Caribbean, to the temperate zones of northern Argentina, it stands resilient. This widespread occurrence reflects not only its adaptability but also its significant ecological role in providing habitat and food for various wildlife species.

In conclusion, the Jerusalem-thorn is a remarkable example of nature’s ingenuity, blending beauty, function, and resilience. Its presence from the southern United States to northern Argentina, including the Caribbean, highlights its capability to flourish in a wide array of environments, contributing valuable ecological benefits wherever it roots itself.

Common Names

Eng: barbados flowerfence, jerusalem thorn, jerusalem-thorn, mexican paloverde, horse-bean, retaima, palo verde, jaruzalem thorn, mexican palo verde, parkinsonia, wonder tree, wondertree
Deu: jerusalemdorn
Ita: parchinsonia
Heb: parkinsonia sihanit, פרקינסוניה שיחנית
Spa: acacia de tres púas, cina, cina cina, cinacina, espina de jerusalén, espinillo, espino de jerusalén, palo de rayo, palo verde, palo verde mejicano, parkinsònia, retama de jerusalén
Fra: arrêtenègre
Por: cina-cina, espinheiro-de-jerusalém, espinheiro-de-jerusálem, espinho-de-jerusalém, espinho-de-turco, rosa-da-turquia, supresta, turco
Swe: jerusalemtörne
Ell: parkinsonia
En: Jerusalem-thorn, Horse-bean, Barbados flowerfence, Retaima, Mexican paloverde, Jerusalem thorn, Horsebean, Mexican palo verde, Mexican Palo-Verde, Paloverde, Palo Verde, Jaruzalem Thorn, Parkinsonia, Wonder Tree, Wondertree, Acacia de los Masones, Aroma Extranjera, Bayahonda Blanca, Espinillo, Madame Naiz, Madame Yass, Acacia, Junco
Af: Groenhaarboom
Am: ፍልፍሌ
Ar: Sessaban, باركنسونية حادة, Saysaban, Sunt
Ca: Parquinsònia
Zh: 扁轴木
Cs: Parkinsonie pichlavá
Fi: Helmihuiskapapu
Fr: Arrêtenègre, Genet eoubeux, Épine de Jérusalem, Parkinsonie épineuse, Genet Epineux, Quatre épingles
Ff: Caran labbi
De: Jerusalemdorn, Jerusalemsdorn
El: Παρκινσόνια η αγκαθωτή, Parkinsonia
He: פרקינסוניה שיכנית, Parkinsonia sihanit, פרקינסוניה שיחנית
It: Parchinsonia, Spina di Gerusalemme
Fa: درمان عقرب
Pt: Espinheiro-de-Jerusalém, Cina-Cina, Espinho-de-jerusalém, Espinho-de-turco, Rosa-da-turquia, Supresta, Turco, Espinheiro-de-jerusálem, Espinheiro de Jerusalém
Pt-br: Cina-cina, Espinho-de-jerusalém, Rosa-da-Turquia, Turco
So: Geed Walaayo
Es: Palo de rayo, Palo verde mejicano, Espinillo, Acacia de tres púas, Cina, Cina cina, Cinacina, Espina de Jerusalén, Espino de Jerusalén, Palo verde, Parkinsònia, Retama de Jerusalén
Sw: Takataka
Sv: Jerusalemtörne
Zh-tw: 扁軸木
Zh-hant: 扁軸木
Tr: Sülünağacı
Vi: Kim tước chi

Synonyms

• Parkinsonia thornberi (M.E.Jones)
• Parkinsonia inermis (Spreng.)
• Parkinsonia spinosa (Kunth)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• California (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nevada (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Texas (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Djibouti (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Stéphanie Guern (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2020 by meg4ron (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Eugenio Diaz Ferreiro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2019 by elena (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Jose Manuel Salazar Navarro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2019 by Claudio Malpede (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2019 by Quozette (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Díaz Bárbara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Acosta García Isabel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Stéphanie Guern (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 1, 2022 by AJ G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2019 by Hermann Seiberth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Stéphanie Guern (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Omri Messer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 24, 2022 by adzzzz (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5357217)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:512242-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Parkinsonia aculeata L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth