Sweet mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)

Prosopis glandulosa is a tree that resists drought

Image - Wikimedia / Don AW Carlson

The trees of the Fabaceae family are, for the most part, plants that grow in warm regions with little rainfall. While there are some that are very interesting to grow in gardens, such as the Albizia julibrissinOn the other hand, there are others that are good to know ... but nothing more. One of them is known as sweet mesquite, whose scientific name is Prosopis glandulosa.

Although it is not included in the Catalog of Invasive Species of Spain, it is included in the list of the 100 most harmful exotic species in the world prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); hence we do not recommend its cultivation. However, Why is it dangerous for ecosystems? Does it have any use?

Origin and characteristics of Prosopis glandulosa

Image - Wikimedia / Don AW Carlson

El Prosopis glandulosa it is an evergreen tree that grows up to 14 meters in height, although the normal thing is that it does not exceed 9 meters, and in the branches it has some thorns. Its leaves are green, composed of elongated pinnae or leaflets, and approximately one centimeter long.

Produces flowers for much of the year; specifically, from spring to early fall. These are yellow spikes that are grouped to form an elongated inflorescence, similar for example to the catkins of willows (Salix). The fruit, like that of all legumes, is a legume, which in the case of sweet mesquite is green-yellowish. Inside it contains rounded seeds.

Where is sweet mesquite found?

It is native to North America, specifically from the southwestern United States to northern Mexico. To be more specific, it lives in near deserts, on dry plains, from sea level to 1800 meters of altitude. But it is impossible to know exactly if it is grown in more parts of the world.

It is a tree that it resists drought, extreme temperatures in summer (40ºC, maybe up to 45ºC), and is not afraid of frost either (According to some English portals, such as the PFAF, it suffers serious damage only if the mercury drops to -22ºC if the tree is adult; if it is young it cannot bear the cold, only up to -1ºC).

For all this, it would not be surprising that many were encouraged to have a specimen in their garden, since it is very adaptable and resistant. However, these two characteristics, together with its high germination rate, are what can harm the native flora.

Does it have any edible or medicinal use?

The truth is that yes. Both the nectar of the flowers, as well as the legumes, the seeds and the sap of the bark are edible.. With them cakes, porridges, chewing gum, and even drinks are prepared. For example, legumes that are still green are consumed as a vegetable, for example in soups or cooked; On the other hand, the ripe ones are usually crushed until they become a kind of flour, which is then poured into a container with water for 24 hours, until it hardens, and finally it is used to make, among other things, pancakes or breads.

In regards to medicinal use, in its places of origin it is used for sore throats, to heal sores and ulcers, and for the control of lice. The infusion of leaves is used to reduce fever, and the juice to relieve itching and irritation of the eyes.

Can it be cultivated for reforestation?

The spines of Prosopis glandulosa are short

Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr

The truth is that I do not recommend it. To reforest it is always better to use native plants, which are those that in the end take thousands, perhaps millions of generations, adapting to the climate and soil conditions of the place.. He Prosopis glandulosa It is interesting if it is used to reforest degraded lands in Mexico, for example, or in the United States, because in the end it is originally from those regions.

But in a country like Spain, honestly, I would not be surprised by anything that becomes invasive and causes serious damage to the native flora. It has been seen with the Leucaena leucocephala in the Canary Islands, which is also a tree of the Fabaceae family, fast growing and with beautiful yellow flowers shaped like a pompom, and which is also native to Mexico (you have more information about it in the portal of MITECO). Or let's not even say the Ailanthus altissima, a fast-growing tree that reduces natural spaces by preventing native plants from occupying it (which is their own right, if I may say so).

I did it has qualities that make it an interesting plant, but not for reforestation. Its roots are deep, and they also fix nitrogen to the soil, so they prevent the soil from eroding, or if it already is, from further degrading. The seeds germinate as soon as they find a little moisture, and the plant does not take long to establish itself. But before deciding to plant a Prosopis glandulosa in the garden, it is better to look at other options.


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