Common Name: Creeping Mesquite

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[].
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[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central Argentina, Chile

Habitat

Desert areas, often on saline soils[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

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[]. This species is often found on saline soils in the wild[].
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

The seedpods of many Prosopis species contain a fleshy pulp that is edible, usually with a sweet flavour[]. We have no specific information for this species other than the seedpod is 18 - 52mm long, 6 - 10mm wide, containing a reddish, astringent pulp[, ].

Medicinal

The seedpod is astringent and diuretic[]. It has been chewed as a remedy for toothache and gum pain[, ], and to treat inflammation[]. A decoction of the seedpods is used as a gargle to treat throat inflammations[].

Other Uses

The roots are a source of tannins and can be used to make a brown dye[].

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[].

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[].