Parkinsonia seeds - Horse thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata)

Number 500 Common name: Parkinsonia Scientific name: Parkinsonia aculeata Parkinsonia was named in honor of the British botanist John Parkinson, and it is a fast-growing, evergreen desert thorny tree from the legume family. It is a perennial tree that exceeds 10 meters in height. The leaves are short-lived in desert conditions, but when the tree becomes leafless, the leaf stalks remain silky and needle-like, surrounded by two rows of small oval leaflets, between 25-30. It is considered one of the most tolerant trees to harsh climatic conditions. • Flower of Parkinsonia - Horse Thorn: Its dense flowers form yellow clusters with a red center, blooming for several months from March to September, and it is one of the favorite flowers of bees. • Fruit and seeds of Parkinsonia - Horse Thorn: The fruits are slender pods reaching about 15 cm in length. • Propagation season for Parkinsonia - Horse Thorn: It is planted from March to August, and can also be cultivated year-round in agricultural protected areas, enclosed or plastic places where temperature can be controlled and sunlight reaches, or where the plant receives adequate lighting. • Suitable climate and soil for Parkinsonia - Horse Thorn: It is a hardy tree that tolerates temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius, as well as frost and temperatures below zero. Additionally, Parkinsonia withstands drought and high salinity, and can be cultivated in many types of soil. • Method of cultivating Parkinsonia - Horse Thorn: It propagates by seeds, which must be soaked in water for at least 24 hours before planting. It can also be propagated by cuttings in spring or through air layering. • Benefits and uses: Used as windbreaks, its wood is used as fuel for heating, producing the best types of charcoal, and its leaves are excellent fodder for animals. • Native habitat of Parkinsonia - Horse Thorn: Panama and North America, cultivated in Saudi Arabia and many hot and desert regions.