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Desert Ironwood
Desert Ironwood botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Desert Ironwood

Olneya tesota
In the United States: Native · also called ironwood

Desert Ironwood trees produce clusters of fragrant purple pea-like flowers that attract honeybees seeking nectar and pollen in arid landscapes. Bloom peaks in late spring following adequate winter rainfall, offering a moderate forage contribution during a season when other desert plants may be sparse. This slow-growing legume fixes nitrogen in the soil and provides long-term habitat structure but requires deep watering when young to establish in well-drained sites.

Nectarmedium
Pollenmedium
Bloom (US) April–June
Duration~45 days
TypePerennial
Sunfull
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