Desert Ironwood

Scientific Name: Olneya tesota A. Gray

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Fabales / Fabaceae / Leguminosae / Olneya A. Gray/ Olneya tesota A. Gray

Desert Ironwood
General Information
Usda SymbolOLTE
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsShrubTree,
Native LocationsOLTE

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Desert Ironwood is planted.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)22
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceNone
Frost Free Days, Minimum365
Hedge ToleranceMedium
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum8.6
pH, Minimum6.8
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim300
Planting Density per Acre, Minim170
Precipitation, Maximum20
Precipitation, Minimum3
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)12
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

BloatNone
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationRounded
Active Growth PeriodSpring, Summer, Fall
C:N RatioHigh
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ConspicuousYes
Foliage ColorWhite-Gray
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureFine
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Nitrogen FixationLow
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanLong
Leaf RetentionYes
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)25.0
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee20
Growth RateSlow
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed per Pound2000
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Commercial AvailabilityField Collections Only
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by ContainerYes


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanYes
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductYes
Fuelwood ProductHigh
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Desert Ironwood

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