Common Name:

General Information

Prosopis flexuosa is a deciduous, spiny tree with a hemispherical crown, though sometimes only an erect, polypoidal shrub; it usually grows 3 - 10 metres tall[, ]
As in several similar species, this is an important local tree for providing shade, timber, firewood and food in semidesert conditions[, ]. The wood is sold in local markets for fuel and in the form of charcoal[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central Argentinia to northern Chile and southern Bolivia

Habitat

Lowland forest and gallery forest[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prosopis flexuosa is native from the temperate, arid and semi-arid regions of central Argentina north to moderate elevations in the tropics of southern Bolivia. It can be found in desert areas of Argentina where the mean annual rainfall is as low as 50 - 100mm and becomes less common there where rainfall exceeds 500mm[, ]. The temperature in these desert regions can rise as high as 48°c in the summer, whilst occasional falls as low as -12°c have been experienced in the winter[]
Species in this genus generaly require a sunny position in a well-drained soil[].
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

Fruit[]. The flesh inside the seedpod is sometimes scanty, but it is pulpy with a sweet flavour[]. The pods can be eaten boiled or dried and then ground into a powder and used in making other foods and beverages[]. The seedpod is 5 - 28cm long and 7 - 12mm wide[].

A gum extracted from the seeds can be used as a thickener in foods[].

Medicinal

The ground and fermented seeds are used to make an astringent and diuretic drink[].

An infusion of the leaves is used as an anticatarrhal and as a wash for the eyes[]

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is a typical 'Monte' tree, of much importance in the formation of open-desert forests along temporary rivers[].

Other Uses

The bark contains tannins[].
Tannins from the bark can be used as a dyestuff[].

The wood is very durable and is locally important for providing material for a wide range of commodities. Among the desert communities it is the main timber used in the framework of houses and other constructions, it is used to make furniture, household implements, tools etc and is widely used to make posts for fencing[, ].
The wood is much used for fuel and makes an excellent charcoal[, ].

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[].