Screwbean mesquite, Fremont Screwbean
Prosopis pubescens

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It has thorns. It grows 7 m tall. The bark is light brown. It often has short straight spines 1-3 cm long. The leaves are twice divided. The flowers are small and yellow. They are in spikes. The fruit is a twisted seedpod 5 cm long.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It can grow in dry salty soils. It grows below 1,200 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It is often near streams in deserts and can grow in salty soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Egypt, Mexico (country/location of origin), North Africa, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The pods are eaten raw, roasted, pounded into meal for cakes. The pods are also dried and stored for later use. They are also made into an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. They are also boiled down to syrup or molasses.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, bark

How it is grown

Seeds need treatment before they will grown.

Its other names

Local names

Creasote bush scrub, Mesquite, Mezquite tornillo, Tornilla, Tornillo

Synonyms

Prosopis emoryi Torrey; Prosopis odorata Torrey & Fremont; Strombocarpa odorata (Torr. & Frem.) A. Gray; Strombocarpa pubescens (Benth.) A. Gray;