Palo Verde

Parkinsonia aculeata, also known as Jerusalem Thorn: Antipyretic, diaphoretic, and abortifacient: Used for centuries in traditional medicine Antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antifertility, and anti-diabetic: Recent research indicates these uses Treat fever, atony, and malaria: Leaf, fruit, and stem decoctions are taken orally and applied externally Treat rheumatism: Flower and leaf extractions in alcohol are applied as a poultice Antispermatogenic: Ethanol extract of stem bark Antimalarial: Flowers and leaves Hypoglycemic: Aqueous fraction of aerial part and bark Anti-inflammatory: Has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties The shrubby tree can grow to 3-10 m tall and has smooth yellow greenish bark. It's native to the southern half of Texas, west to Arizona, south through Mexico and Central America to northern South America.