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Useful Temperate Plants

Prosopis strombulifera

(Lam.) Benth.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Acacia strombulifera (Lam.) Willd.

Mimosa circinalis Benth.

Mimosa strombulifera Lam.

Spirolobium australe A.D.Orb.

Spirolobium australe Orbigny

Strombocarpa strombulifera (Lam.) A.Gray

Common Name: Creeping Mesquite

No Image.

General Information

Prosopis strombulifera is a spiny shrub usually growing 15 - 150cm tall, occasionally reaching 300cm. The plant spreads freely by means of long underground runners and can form thickets[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and dyestuff. The seedpods are sold as a remedy in local markets[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

S. America - central Argentina, Chile

Habitat

Desert areas, often on saline soils[
1566
Title
Plantae Diaphoricae Florae Argentinae ó Revista Sistematica de las Plantas medicinales, alimenticias ó de alguna otr
Publication
 
Author
Hieronymus J.
Publisher
Guillermo Kraft; Buenos Aires
Year
1882
ISBN
 
Description
A very old work, but lots of information on the uses of Argentinian plants. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitShrub
Height0.75 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Prosopis strombulifera is a plant of semi-arid and arid environments in regions of Argentina with hot summers and cool winters that can experience frosts.
Species in this genus generaly require a suny position in a well-drained soil[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. This species is often found on saline soils in the wild[
1566
Title
Plantae Diaphoricae Florae Argentinae ó Revista Sistematica de las Plantas medicinales, alimenticias ó de alguna otr
Publication
 
Author
Hieronymus J.
Publisher
Guillermo Kraft; Buenos Aires
Year
1882
ISBN
 
Description
A very old work, but lots of information on the uses of Argentinian plants. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].
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[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Edible Uses

The seedpods of many Prosopis species contain a fleshy pulp that is edible, usually with a sweet flavour[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. We have no specific information for this species other than the seedpod is 18 - 52mm long, 6 - 10mm wide, containing a reddish, astringent pulp[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

The seedpod is astringent and diuretic[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It has been chewed as a remedy for toothache and gum pain[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1566
Title
Plantae Diaphoricae Florae Argentinae ó Revista Sistematica de las Plantas medicinales, alimenticias ó de alguna otr
Publication
 
Author
Hieronymus J.
Publisher
Guillermo Kraft; Buenos Aires
Year
1882
ISBN
 
Description
A very old work, but lots of information on the uses of Argentinian plants. It can be downloaded from the internet.
], and to treat inflammation[
549
Title
Flore Forestiere Du Globe
Publication
 
Author
Chnacerel L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Gauthier-Villars et Co.; Paris.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
Written in French, a very detailed work on the timbers of the world. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. A decoction of the seedpods is used as a gargle to treat throat inflammations[
1566
Title
Plantae Diaphoricae Florae Argentinae ó Revista Sistematica de las Plantas medicinales, alimenticias ó de alguna otr
Publication
 
Author
Hieronymus J.
Publisher
Guillermo Kraft; Buenos Aires
Year
1882
ISBN
 
Description
A very old work, but lots of information on the uses of Argentinian plants. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].

Other Uses

The roots are a source of tannins and can be used to make a brown dye[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

We have no specific information for this species, but the wood of most members of this genus is widely used locally for fence posts, fuel etc[
491
Title
Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Harvard University
Year
1976
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-05. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Prosopis+strombulifera>

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