Parkinsonia aculeata is a small to medium growing deciduous tree or shrub, 15 to 30 feet tall, and as wide. The bark is yellow-green, branches have spiny twigs, a very open, sparse growth pattern. Yellow flowers on 3 to 7 inch clusters in spring, sporadically the rest of the year. It is a fast grower initially, then slows down, it's best to stake the young plant and train for high or low branch pattern. Once established it is low maintenance, but best kept out of manicured areas, hard surfaces due to leaf and twig litter. A drought tolerant plant, tolerant of dry, alkaline soils.
