Parkinsonia praecox
(Ruiz & Pav.) Hawkins
Fabaceae
Caesalpinia praecox Ruiz & Pav. ex Hook.
Cercidium goldmanii Rose
Cercidium plurifoliolatum Micheli
Cercidium praecox (Ruiz & Pav. ex Hook.) Harms
Cercidium spinosum Tul.
Cercidium unijugum Rose
Cercidium viride (H.Karst.) H.Karst.
Common Name: Palo Brea
Flowering plant in native habitat
Photograph by: Arianza1
General Information
Parkinsonia praecox is an evergreen shrub or small tree usually growing 2 - 4 metres tall but occasionally reaching 9 metres in forested areas of northeastern Sonora. The crown is usually rounded or flat-topped and spreading in exposed habitats, erect and less branched in sheltered habitats[
1333- Title
- The Genus Cercidium (Leguminosae:Caesalpinioideae) in the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and the United States
- Publication
- Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Series 4, Vol XL, No 2, pp 17-57; 1974
- Author
- Carter A.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of the gum contained in its stems.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1333- Title
- The Genus Cercidium (Leguminosae:Caesalpinioideae) in the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and the United States
- Publication
- Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Series 4, Vol XL, No 2, pp 17-57; 1974
- Author
- Carter A.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela. N. America - southern and northern Mexico
Habitat
Deciduous forests at low elevations[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
]. Found at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres in Ecuador.
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 3.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Plants are fairly frost hardy, tolerating occasional short-lived frosts down to about -5°c[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Prefers a sunny position in a slightly alkaline soil[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
The leaves of this plant are ephemeral, being mainly present in the rainy season. Much of the photosynthesis is carried out by the plant's green stems, which remain bright green even near ground level[
1333- Title
- The Genus Cercidium (Leguminosae:Caesalpinioideae) in the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and the United States
- Publication
- Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Series 4, Vol XL, No 2, pp 17-57; 1974
- Author
- Carter A.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The stem is the source of a greenish, semi-transparent gum, known as Brea, that contains 80% arabin. It is completely soluble in water and is an acceptable substitute for gum arabic[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
]. It is used locally to make soap by dissolving it in an alkali[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
The common name, 'Palo Brea', is derived from the fact that the waxy substance coating the bark, after being scraped from the branches and melted by heat, is used as a 'gum' for gluing together leather objects and furniture[
1333- Title
- The Genus Cercidium (Leguminosae:Caesalpinioideae) in the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and the United States
- Publication
- Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Series 4, Vol XL, No 2, pp 17-57; 1974
- Author
- Carter A.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The wood is hard, moderately heavy but brittle. It is free from any noticeable odour or taste, easy to work and finishes smoothly but is considered to be of no commercial value[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
The wood burns quickly and gives off an unpleasant odour[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
