Mesquite, Honey
Prosopis juliflora
Fabaceae - Legume
Description
Leaves: Alternate; twice (sometimes three to four times) pinnately compound; pinnae (the smallest branches of the leaf that hold the leaflets) each with 12 to 30 small leaflets; deciduous; leaflets linear to oblong, 1/2" to 2" long, margins entire, glabrous; petiole tipped with a spine; no notable fall color.
Twigs/buds: Twigs glabrous; smooth; with 1/2" to 2" long spines at each leaf. No terminal bud; lateral buds small, round, brown.
Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, yellow, fragrant, small; appear throughout the summer. Fruit a thin, flat to round legume; yellowish; 4" to 9" long and 1/4" to 1/2" wide; constricted between 1/4" long, brown seeds; edible.
Bark: Thick; dark red to brown; scaly and furrowed.
Wood: Very hard, heavy; used for lumber, firewood; heartwood brown, sapwood yellow; ring-porous.
General: Native throughout much of the southwestern U.S. south into Mexico, including extreme southwest Utah. This shrub to small tree is well adapted to desert sites with a deep, extensive root system. It tolerates heat, drought, high soil pH, and salinity and is quite long-lived. Shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: This tough tree is seldom planted and likely is not very cold hardy, but it could be used in natural landscapes in Washington County. Zones 7(?)-10.
Comments & Limitations: Fruit and/or plant part can be nuisances; use fruitless varieties if possible. Thorns or spines that can be dangerous; use thornless varieties if possible.
Characteristics
General
Family | Fabaceae - Legume |
---|---|
Cultivar Availability | No |
Hardiness Zone | 7-10 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | Yes |
Growth
Growth Rate | Low |
---|---|
Mature Height | Medium |
Longevity | High |
Is Good Under Power Lines | No |
Crown Shapes | Broad |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
---|---|
Fall Color | No |
Flowers | Yes |
Foliage | No |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
---|---|
Salt | High |
Drought | High |
Poor Drainage | Low |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | Medium |