Syrian mesquite, Dwarf mesquite
Prosopis farcta

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It has prickles. It grows 1-3 m tall. It can develop roots and rhizomes 15-20 m into the soil. The stems are erect and slender. The leaves are compound and twice divided into leaflets along the stem. There are 9-13 pairs of small leaflets. The flowers are small and yellow. There are 1 or 2 oblong pods. These are dark brown when ripe and have a pulpy layer

Also as Mimosaceae. It can be invasive and hard to control.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It can grow in arid places. It can counteract salinity. It can tolerate drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Caucasus, Central Asia, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Yemen

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for jam. The young fresh fruit are eaten raw.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Berik, çediotu, Gurnub, Gurnuf, Hashesok, Janbout, Mahchacha

Synonyms

Lagonychium farctum (Banks & Sol.) Bobrov; Mimosa farcta Banks & Sol.; Mimosa stephaniana M. Bieb. Prosopis stephaniana (Willd.) Sprengel;