Geoffroea Species, Chanar, Chilean Palo Verde, Kumbaru

Probably the most interesting tree species I have researched.

A Legume, when I first saw a nice specimen up close while v...Read Moreisiting Phoenix back in March, id assumed it, like most plants in the family would produce the typical bean-like pods after flowering.

While studying this specimen further, while back in town a few weeks ago, I noticed a carpet of round, hard shelled, cherry-like fruits below this tree. Id have never guessed these were produced by the tree itself until I did a little more research back at my hotel.

While familiar with legume type trees which produce single seeded fruits (Tipuana tipu is a good example) I was amazed to learn that Chanar, or Chilean "Palo Verde", which it vaguely resembles, is one of the few Legumes, if not the only member of this family, to produce a drupe-like fruit which contains a single seed.

After returning home with a batch of seed to try, the burnt cookie-like smell of the foam-like mass surrounding the cherry pit like seed hull was an interesting observation. This mealy covering is supposedly edible and processed into a sweet, syrup-like substance in its native environment.

A few of the seeds I dropped into 1gal containers are just starting to emerge atm. Sowed another batch today.

While some might consider the tree itself a bit messy (heavy fruit drop, branch ends end in a stiff thorn, can sucker if irrigated too much/often) it has many great qualities worthy of inclusion in a large Desert/Xeric-themed landscape, in a spot where it can be admired, but isn't going to get in the way or cause litter issues.

While the bright yellow, pea-like flowers produced in abundance are one of this tree's great attributes, the rainbow patterned bark is a year-round curiosity. If I had to describe "the look" of the trunk/bark pattern, id say it does indeed resemble Palo Verde (Parkinsonia sp.) but possesses a character all it's own.

Older bark is rough and ranges from a deep chocolate brown to a yellow orange-ish brown. As it sheds, many shades of smooth apple green to a bluish sea green emerge giving the tree a lot of interest both from afar and up close.

While shade provided by it isn't especially dense, it seems enough protection for plants which enjoy brighter shade.

Leaves are green or greenish grey and arranged in the same fashion as the Parkinsonias (Palo Verde) Seedlings or suckers away from the tree itself could be mistaken for them in casual observation.

Despite a somewhat "tropical" origin, Chanar is a respectfully tough and hardy species, being cold hardy down to at least the upper teens. It can also be cold-deciduous though the specimen I have observed still had some leaves when I saw it back in March. I can see specimens planted in warmer locations retaining most foliage, most winters.

Overall, its positive attributes out weigh any potential negative ones. Like most trees with a less conforming character, place it where it has a little space, train it a little if it needs it, don't give it too much water, and don't expect it to fit into a tight spot. Allow this unique landscape addition to captivate anyone whose attention it catches as mother nature intended.

We call it “chañar”. I don’t exactly know what it means.
It’s such an ugly tree!!! But don’t get me wrong! I really li...Read Moreke it! When it blooms it can take all your bad thoughts about it away.
Another good thing on it is its bark. It peels off revealing the new “skin” which has different sorts of color tones that go from yellow to green.
Another scientific name is Gourliea decorticans (Burkart) or Gourliea spinosa (Skeels)