Smoketree / Smokethorn
Psorothamnus spinosus
Watercolor from live specimen found at Bouse, Arizona, 06 April 1993.
RANGE: Low, frost-free areas from Yuma, Arizona, north to Parker and in
scattered locations further east as in far western Pima and Maricopa Counties.
Also southeastern California and northwestern Mexico.
TREE: Reaching 5 to 10 meters.
Main branches and trunks are gray streaked with black. Young branches and twigs
are gray-green and carry on much of the photosynthesis.
ARMED: Many, long, very sharp, sweeping spines.
LEAFLESS: Nearly leafless. But, usually an occasional simple leaf on the
new growth can be found. Smokethorn bears a superficial resemblance to the
crucifiction thorns.
FLOWERS: Showy, vivid-purple, pea-flowers appear late spring/early
summer. There is a small bright orange gland on each of the
sepals.
FRUIT: Like other members of the bean family, the fruit is a pod, but
smokethorn has a small pod containing usu. only one seed.