pa·lo ver·de or
pa·lo·ver·de 
(p
ăl
ō vûr
d
ē, vûrd
)
n. Any of various spiny, nearly leafless, bushy trees of the genus Parkinsonia (formerly Cercidium) in the pea family, native to the southwest United States and Mexico and having yellow flowers and green bark.
[American Spanish : Spanish palo, tree (from Latin pālus, stake; see PALE1) + Spanish verde, green (from Latin viridis).]