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Fig. 45.-Foliage of the Jerusalem-thorn, Parkinsonia aculeata.


simple, elliptic, 2 to 4 inches long, usually with 7 basal veins. 2 of
which form the leaf edge. Small white to yellowish flowers are borne
during winter in clusters around twigs, an arrangement similar to
the bottle-brush.
 In a few areas trees have spread naturally from cultivation since
they are not injured by grass fires and tolerate poor drainage. Al-
though flowers are favored by honey bees, beekeepers object to this
tree since the nectar makes an inferior grade of honey.
 Cajeput-trees are attractive as accent and specimen trees for
shade, flowers and striking effects of shedding and peeling bark. This
tree is also used as a background or framing tree for small homes.
Since Cajeput is moderately tolerant of salt spray, it can be used in
plantings near the seashore. Cajeput is adapted for use as a street
tree, base planting for tall buildings and as a plant for a tall hedge
on large properties. Insect or disease pests are not known to be a
problem.

 Parkinsonia aculeata. Leguminosae. Jerusalem-Thorn. Southern,
Central and Northern areas. Deciduous. Tropical America.
 Jerusalem-thorn has thin, wiry pendulous foliage, drooping
growth habit, and green bark. Trees attain a maximum height of
30 feet, and branches and twigs are armed with short, sharp spines.
Leaves are bipinnately compound, usually over a foot in length with
numerous small leaflets (Fig. 45). Numerous, small, bright yellow
flowers in loose racemes, 3 to 6 inches long, appear in early spring
and are evident in smaller numbers for several months. Jerusalem-
thorn tolerates salt spray and grows well in poor, dry or sandy soil.
 Jerusalem-thorn has little value for shade because of the nature
 of its foliage, but is valuable as an ornamental because of its free-
 flowering habit and unusual leafage. It is useful as a specimen where