Palo Verde is a census-designated place in Imperial County, California. Its name comes from the native desert tree, Palo Verde, which in turn takes its name from the Spanish for stick and green, sharing its name with the Palo Verde Valley, the valley it is located. The Imperial County line passes just north of the town. A community named Ripley, in Riverside County lies along SR78 between Blythe and Palo Verde.