Parkinsonia aculeata is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is commonly known as Mexican palo verde or Jerusalem thorn. The tree is deciduous and can reach up to 10-30 ft (3-9 m) in height and 10-20 ft (3-6 m) in width. The bark is green when young, turning gray-brown with age. The leaves are small, bipinnate, and bright green in color. The tree produces yellow flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.