White carob tree
Prosopis alba

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8-10 m high. It has spines. It has a short trunk about 1 m across. The crown is 10 m across. The bark is thin and grey. The leaves have small leaflets along the stalk. The flowers are small and greenish-white. The fruit are pods and are red-orange. They are 20 cm long. The seeds are brown and 7 mm long.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in subtropical regions. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-500 mm. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in salty soils. It grows below 1,000 m above sea level. It can grow to 3,000 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Chile, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay (country/location of origin), Peru, SE Asia, Senegal, South America (country/location of origin), Sudan, Uruguay, USA

How it is used for food

The pods are roasted and used as a coffee substitute. They are also used for other drinks and the seeds for flour. The pulp of the ripe pods can be eaten raw or cooked.

It is an important food.

Edible parts

Fruit, pods

How it is grown

Two or more plants are needed as flowers cross the female flowers being ready before the male flowers.

Its other names

Local names

Algarrobo blanco, Argentine mesquite, Cupesi, Huancu, Huilca, Ibope, Iwope, Ogope, Jwa'ayuk, Najnuna, Pohon algoroba putih, Pohon karob putih, Tacu, Tewes, Thaco, Wape'i, Yana-tacu, Yurakk takko

Synonyms

Prosopis atacamensis Phil.; Prosopis siliquastrum var. longisiliqua Phil.;