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Summary
Prosopis species,
Prosopis are nitrogen fixers in the legume family (Fabaceae) that often thrive in arid soil and are drought-resistant. Their fruits are pods that can contain large amounts of sugar and are a balanced staple carbohydrate. Harvested in autumn and winter, White Carob Tree (P. alba) pods can be eaten as fresh fruit or conserved in their sweet fresh juice. Dried and ground pods make flour for making cakes. The popular drink ‘Aloja’ is prepared with fresh, sweet-tasting pods. 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
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.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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
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.
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
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 ]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Mesquite flowers produce nectar and pollen that attract bees and other pollinators, including beneficial insects.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – Mesquite pods are consumed by animals, including birds and mammals. The tree provides dense foliage that can serve as shelter and nesting sites for wildlife. The seeds also offer a food source for various species.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The rough bark, fallen pods, and leaf litter provide shelter and overwintering sites for invertebrates, while the groundcover helps maintain beneficial insect populations.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Mesquite does not have a strong scent that would act as a pest confuser.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
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 ]. Some forms of this plant 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. The growing plant utilizes some of this nitrogen, but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[755 ]. Mesquite pods are typically harvested in late Summer to Autumn, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Mesquite trees flower in Spring, usually from April to June (Northern Hemisphere). Mesquite trees are fast growers, often reaching heights of 4-10 meters (12-35 feet) in just a few years, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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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
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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Expert comment
Author
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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