This small tree seen in San Diego has masses of branches with long needle-like leaves and lots of yellow flowers around 3cm in diameter. The flowers look sort of like orchids, with four petals that seem alike and one more petalloid-looking thing that is either marked with orange or is entirely deep reddish-orange. There is one growing at the Marston House, and others like this in landscapes here and there around town. They didn't know what it was at the Marston House, and after I saw several of them, I got curious about what it is.
Yes, it does look like Parkinsonia aculeata. Thanks, Tyrlych. I see that it's another beautiful tree that can behave badly. According to Wikipedia: Those needle-looking things are flattened petioles that had two rows of small leaflets until the hot weather.
