Mesquite, Velvet mesquite
Prosopis velutina

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows 4.5-12 m high and spreads 4.5-12 m wide. The bark is smooth and dark brown. The branches are velvety and covered with spines. The leaves are compound. They are narrow and dull green. They have 2-3 leaflets and each of these have 15-20 pairs of small leaflets. They have fine hairs over them. The flowers are yellow or green and are in clusters. The fruit are brown pods. They are 7-22 cm long by 7-12 mm wide.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate places. It can grow in dry salty soils. It grows between 150-1,700 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sonoran Desert. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Mexico, North America, South Africa, USA

How it is used for food

The pods are used as food. They are also stored for later use. The gum is chewed. It is also dried, ground, boiled and cooled then eaten as a candy. The seeds are winnowed, parched, and ground into flour for bread or cakes. The inner bark is used as a substitute for rennet. The flower catkins are sucked for their sweet taste. The pods are crushed and soaked and used to make a drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, pods

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Neltuma velutina (Wooton) Britton & Rose; Prosopis chilensis var. velutina (Wooton) Standl.; Prosopis juliflora var. velutina (Wooton) Sarg.; Prosopis glandulosa subsp. velutina;