Mesquite
Prosopis africana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It can grow to 25 m high. The trunk is 80 cm across. It grows straight and un-buttressed in forests and low and crooked in open conditions. The crown is open. The leaves droop. The bark is very dark and scaly. The leaves are alternate and twice divided. The leaves are 10-15 cm long. There are 9-16 pairs of leaflets along 3-6 pairs of opposite leaflets stalks. The leaflets are oblong and 12-30 mm long. The flowers are pale green to yellow. They have a scent. The fruit are dark brown pods. They are thick and hard and 15 cm long by 3 cm wide. There are about 10 loose rattling seeds in each pod.

There are about 44 Prosopis species. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in forest, savannah and Sahel in West Africa. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 400-1,200 mm. It grows between 720-1,220 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Middle East, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds are used to make a vegetable butter used in flavouring. They are fermented. They are also used in chutneys and relishes. The young pods are eaten.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Seeds, pods, fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds are best when treated with hot water to allow them to germinate. The seedlings can be transplanted after 14-18 weeks.

It flowers shortly after the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Bal-tencali, Buiengue, Bussagan, Cachem-cachao, Culengo, Culim-o, Djandjam-o, Djeiha, Djendon, Gbaaye, Karbon, Keseg-keseg, Ogea, Pau-carvao, Po-carvao, Po-de-carbom, Po-di-carvom, Quessem-quessem, Tchalem-ai, Tchela-tche-lengage, Tchela, Tchelangadje, Tchelem, Teacali-mand, Tentera

Synonyms

Coulteria africana Guillemin & Perrottet; Prosopis oblonga Benth.; Prosopis lanceolata Benth.;