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Prosopis alba - Griseb.

Common Name White carob tree, Algarrobo blanco
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Arid and semi-arid regions with groundwater, such as drainage channels and along groundwater sinks. A common ruderal weed, coming up singly and in groups along roadsides, around habitations, on refuse dumps and in other disturbed habitats[418 ].
Range S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Peru.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Prosopis alba White carob tree, Algarrobo blanco


Wikimedia.org - Mr. Jorge Vallmitjana
Prosopis alba White carob tree, Algarrobo blanco
Wikimedia.org - PMATAS

 

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Summary

Prosopis alba can reportedly tolerate drought, salt and sand; in fact, it is extremely efficient with regards to water consumption, it produces the most fruits in years of drought and has been successfully introduced in arid terrains.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Prosopis alba is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Prosopis atacamensis Phil. Prosopis siliquastrum longisiliqua Phil.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seedpod  Stem
Edible Uses: Drink  Gum  Sweetener

Pod - fresh or dried[418 ]. The pod can be eaten as a fresh fruit or conserved in its own sweet fresh juice[418 ]. If the pod is dried then ground into a powder, it gives a flour that can be mixed with a little water and eaten immediately or used for making cakes[317 , 418 ]. The popular drink 'aloja' is prepared with the fresh, sweet tasting pods[317 ]. A gum obtained from the stems has a soft consistency and a sweet flavour. It is used as a candy[303 ]. Staple crop: balanced Carb.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antiseptic  Dysentery  Emollient

Leaf extracts have shown antibacterial activity[418 ]. The bark, branches, gum and foliage are antiseptic, antidysenteric and emollient[418 ]. They are used as a treatment against gastritis[418 ]

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Fodder  Fuel  Furniture  Gum  Shelterbelt  Soil conditioner  Soil reclamation  Soil stabilization  Tannin  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: The nitrogen fixing properties, rapid growth and deep roots make this a suitable species for erosion control and soil improvement[418 ]. The tree is planted in reclamation schemes for salt-affected soils[317 ]. Windbreak. Other Uses: A gum obtained from the trunk has physical and chemical properties similar to gum arabic (Acacia spp.)[418 ]. The bark is rich in tannins[317 ]. The wood contains 5 - 9% tannins[303 ]. The heartwood is reddish-brown; the sapwood yellowish[303 ]. The wood is fairly dense and difficult to work[303 , 414 ]. It is used for parquet floors, doors and furniture[325 , 414 ]. The wood is excellent for both firewood and charcoal[325 , 414 , 418 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Coppice  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Fodder: Pod  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Regional Crop  Staple Crop: Balanced carb

A plant mainly of the dry subtropical zone, extending into the tropics at higher elevations in Bolivia and Peru. (though it is found at elevations as low as 360 metres at latitude 18°S in Bolivia). It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures fall within the range 10 - 20°c, though it can tolerate 7 - 28°c and an absolute maximum of 45°c[418 ]. Mature specimens can tolerate occasional short-lived temperatures down as low as -6°c, though younger plants can be killed at -1°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 200 - 500mm, tolerating 100 - 700mm[418 ]. Requires a sunny position[418 ]. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well-drained[418 ]. Tolerates somewhat saline soils[325 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[418 ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[418 ]. Under optimal conditions a large tree (40 cm in basal diameter and 7 m in canopy diameter) may produce 40 kg of pods[325 ]. There are some forms of this plant that are thorn-free[414 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[755 ].

Carbon Farming

  • Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
  • Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to enhance crop production, protect people and livestock and benefit soil and water conservation.
  • Fodder: Pod  Fodder plants with pods.
  • Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
  • Staple Crop: Balanced carb  (0-15 percent protein, 0-15 percent oil, with at least one over 5 percent). The carbohydrates are from either starch or sugar. Annuals include maize, wheat, rice, and potato. Perennials include chestnuts, carob, perennial fruits, nuts, cereals, pseudocereals, woody pods, and acorns.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it remains viable for several years in normal storage[325 ]. The seeds are hardcoated and must be scarified in order to germinate. Burning, nicking and immersion in boiling water are some of the methods that can be used. If the seeds are not extracted from the pods before sowing, they will normally require several minutes of boiling to overcome dormancy. Normally the seeds are sown directly in containers. Germination starts after 2 weeks and continues for up to one month. When the plants are 30 - 35cm tall they are ready for planting in the field[325 ]. Direct seeding is also possible[325 ]. Seed need to be inoculated with mesquite rhizobia. Competes well with grasses and shrubs.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Algarrobo blanco, Argentine mesquite, Cupesi, Huancu, Huilca, Ibope, igope, Ogope, Jwa'ayuk, Najnuna, Pohon algoroba putih, Pohon karob putih, Tacu, Thaco, Yana-tacu,Yurakk takko

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bolivia, Chuquisaca, La Paz, Santa Cruz, Tarija (south), Peru, Arequipa, Huancavelica, Argentina, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Chaco, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Jujuy, Salta, San Luis, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Paraguay,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Lower Risk/near threatened

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Prosopis africanaPau Carvão. Mesquite. Iron treeTree10.0 10-12 SLMHNM223
Prosopis chilensisChilean algarrobo, Chilean mesquiteTree12.0 10-12 MLMNDM203
Prosopis cinerariaJandi, GhafTree6.5 10-12 MLMHNDM323
Prosopis glandulosaHoneypod mesquite. Glandular mesquiteTree7.0 8-11 FLMHNM324
Prosopis julifloraMesquite, Honey MesquiteTree10.0 7-12 FLMNDM324
Prosopis pallidaAlgarobaTree12.0 10-12 FLMHNDM222
Prosopis tamarugoTamarugoTree12.0 10-12 FLMHNDM103

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Griseb.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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