Chilean algarrobo, Chilean mesquite
Prosopis chilensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-20 m high. It has thorns. The leaves are compound. They are divided into leaflets along the stalk. They are 12-15 cm long. The leaflets are opposite. They are long and narrow. They are 2-2.5 cm long by 2 mm wide. The flowering stalk hangs down. The flowers are green or yellow. The fruit is a pod. It is 10-20 cm long. It is slightly curved. The seeds are 6-7 mm across.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Chile it grows at low altitudes. It can grow in drier areas. It grows in full sun. It grows in dry sandy soils. It can grow in salty soils. It grows from sea level to 2,900 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows between 500-2,500 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 150-400 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Australia, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Hawaii, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Middle East, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Paraguay, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The soft part of the pods are eaten. They are ground into meal and made into cakes. They are also used for a sweet drink and are fermented into beer. The seeds are also edible.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Pods - drink, seeds, pods, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds have a hard outer coat which must be broken before germination. They should then be soaked before planting.

Its other names

Local names

Algarroba, Algarrobo chileno, Cashaw bean, Cupesi, Ibopope-guasu, Kabuli, Kiawe, Kikkar, Taco, Vilayati kheijra, Vilayati

Synonyms

Acacia siliquastrum Lag.; Ceratonia chilensis Molina; Mimosa siliquastrum Cav.; Prosopis schinopoma Stuck.; Prosopis siliquastrum (Lag.) DC.;