Common Name:

General Information

Prosopis caldenia is a deciduous tree with a rounded crown up to 15 metres in diameter; it can grow 4 - 12 metres tall. The short bole is generally 20 - 80cm in diameter, but can be up to 150cm in old specimens[].
The tree provides a locally valuable wood. It is also an excellent pioneer species, of value in restoring the soil and tree cover.
At one time more widespread, the species was heavily exploited in the past as a source of wood and fuel. It is currently restricted to small areas in the centre-south of Argentina. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(1998)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern S. America - central Argentina (Buenos Aires, Corrientes, Entre Rios, La Pampa, Mendoza, Rio Negro, San Luis)

Habitat

Campo and savannah[]. Forms open unispecific, semi-xerophytic woods or forests in the plains[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prosopis caldena is native to the warm temperate zone of central Argentina, growing in areas with a continental climate of warm summers and cold winters (though rarely with snow). The mean annual temperature is around 15 - 16.5°c and the mean annual rainfall 420 - 630mm[].
Requires an open, sunny position in a well-drained, preferably sandy soil[]. Dislikes saline soils[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is an excellent pioneer species for restoring the soil and its climax vegetation. When the land is cleared for agriculture and later abandoned because of the frequent droughts, this species generally germinates in abundance, and in a few years spiny, impenetrable thickets are formed, known locally as 'fachinales'[].

Other Uses

This species grows in a climate with hot summers and cold winters (with snow when not too dry), so that the wood forms clear growth rings. The tree has been successfully used in dendrochronology[].

The wood is a locally valuable timber that is used for making furniture[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].