Glandular mesquite, Honey Mesquite, Honeypod
Prosopis glandulosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A large spiny shrub. It grows 6-9 m high and spreads 8 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The trunk can be 30 cm across. The stems are spiny. The leaves are twice divided. They are 7.5-20 cm long. There are a pair of side axes each with 7-17 pairs of stalkless leaflets. These are 1-3.2 cm long. They are yellow-green and narrowly oblong. The flowers are yellow and fluffy. The flowers are 6 mm long and in clusters 5-7.5 cm long. They are rich in nectar. The fruit are pale yellow narrow pods. They are 9-20 cm long and 10 mm wide. These narrow pods end on a long narrow point. They are slightly flattened and have a wavy edge between the seeds. The pulp is sweet. There are 12-20 seeds.

Also as Mimosaceae. It can be invasive when introduced to new regions.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows on sandy plains and sandhills. It can grow in desert grassland. It can grow on slightly salty soils. In the SE region of the USA it grows to 1700 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, India, Kenya, Mexico (country/location of origin), Namibia, North America, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, USA (country/location of origin), West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds and pods have been used to prepare meal and cakes. The green pods contain a sweet pulp and can be cooked and eaten or made into jelly. The dried pods are ground into meal and used in breads, cakes, muffins and pancakes. The plant is the source of a gum. The nectar of the flower can be sucked.

Edible parts

Seeds, honey, fruit, flower nectar, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Algarobo, Guichacho, Narab, Pluma de oro

Synonyms

Algarobia glandulosa (Torr.) Cooper; Algarobia glandulosa (Torr.) Torr. & A.Gray; Neltuma constricta (Sarg.) Britton & Rose; Neltuma glandulosa (Torr.) Britton & Rose; Neltuma neomexicana Britton & Rose; Prosopis chilensis var. glandulosa (Torr.) Standl.; Prosopis juliflora var. constricta Sarg.; Prosopis juliflora var. glandulosa (Torr.) Cockerell; Prosopis odorata Torr. & Frém.; Prosopis juliflora auct. non (Swartz.)DC; Prosopis chilensis auct. non (Mol.) Schwartz