Ironwoods bloom between May - June and produce pale to deep purple flowers with 5 petals which grow to 0.5 inches in width. Flowers are followed by a brown, hairy, beanlike pod which grows to 2.5 inches in length. The seeds are eaten by many animals including birds and other animals, while the leaves are browsed by bighorn sheep. Native Americans also ate the seeds which supposedly taste somewhat like peanuts. They are mildly toxic, however, and should not be eaten in any quantity without proper preparation. Ironwood is very slow to grow and has been reduced from much of its historic range. Because of this, the trees are protected in Arizona,  where it is illegal to cut or burn them.