Haematoxylum brasiletto

Late summer in the low-elevation deserts of Arizona and California is a daunting time. The heat has blasted the energy out of you and your plants; rain may or may not have relieved both the weather’s monotony and its grip; and color is hard won in the garden. But there are a number of sturdy woody plants that wait until this season of higher humidity to put on their best flowering show of the year. One of my favorites in this vigorous group is brazilwood (Haematoxylum brasiletto).

Brazilwood is a densely branched, almost impenetrable shrub when young or if left to grow without pruning. It is, however, easily worked into a small tree by annual, light shaping after it has been in the ground for a year or two. Once pruned to a tree form, the smooth gray bark is revealed with its distinctive indentations and fissures that ultimately gives the trunk a braided look.

Small, but mighty

This small tree grows 15-20 feet tall and only 6-10 feet wide, although it can become larger in more tropical areas. These modest dimensions make it a perfect choice for small patios or enclosed courtyards.

The dark-green, pinnately compound leaves are made up of anywhere from two to 34 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are heart-shaped and up to 1 inch long. In desert conditions they are often much smaller. The leaves are widely spaced along the stem, which gives the entire plant an open, lightweight look. In all but the most frost-free areas, plants are winter deciduous.

The 1/2-inch flowers are held on thread-thin stalks singly or in pairs in the leaf axils or at the ends of the branch. They are bright, clear yellow and the lowest corolla lobe is sprinkled with reddish nectar guides.

The fruit is a small, flat, papery pod that is reddish-pink initially and fades to straw color. Pods hold for months on the tree and are as attractive as the flowers. They give the appearance of another blossom.

At home in rocky soils

Despite its common name, brazilwood comes from Baja California Sur, northern Sonora and Chihuahua south into central Mexico, as far as Colombia and Venezuela. Brazilwood tolerates almost any well-drained soil but is particularly at home in rocky, alkaline soils. Although immensely heat resistant, it does best with watering twice a month in summer in the hottest deserts to maintain good form. With less water, leaves drop but re-grow quickly with deep watering or rain.

Plants are fully hardy only to 25°F and young plants may be less hardy. However, plants have excellent recovery even from temperatures in the low 20s or high teens, sending out vigorous new growth as the weather warms.

Brazilwood is a wonderful tree for a small patio or seating area providing light shade, a graceful, upright form and bright summer color. Although the stems are tipped with sharp points, it is not a particularly aggressive tree and is easy to site near seating areas or walkways. Use it as a backdrop to smaller desert plantings, as part of a mixed border or hedge, or to secure a hot corner.

Specifics

Name: Haematoxylum brasiletto

Common name: Brazilwood.

Family: Fabaceae.

Description: Deciduous shrub or small tree, 15-20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Yellow flowers appear singly or in pairs in late summer, occasionally in spring.

Landscape uses: Background for smaller perennials or succulents, small patios or courtyards for light shade or visual barrier. Excellent with high heat and modest watering in summer.

Hardiness: To 25°F, recovers quickly from even severe cold damage.

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Propagation: Seed in spring or summer.

- Mary Irish

August 2008