Prosopis chilensis

Prosopis chilensis is a species of tree in the genus Prosopis, belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is found in parts of central Chile, southern Peru, Bolivia, and Andean (northwestern) Argentina.^[2] Its common names include Chilean mesquite (algarrobo chileno, in Spanish), cupesí (in eastern Bolivia),^[3] and Chilean algarrobo.^[4][5] It is used for providing shade, for animal feed, and firewood.

Prosopis chilensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Clade:	Mimosoid clade
Genus:	Prosopis
Species:	P. chilensis
Binomial name
Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stunz.[1]

Description

Prosopis chilensis is a medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching a height of about 14 m (46 ft). The trunk is stout and gnarled, and can reach a metre (yard) in diameter. The bark is pale brown and thick, exhibiting cracks and vertical fissures. The leaves are pinnate, up to 20 cm (8 in) long, with twelve to twenty leaflets arranged in pairs. Each leaflet is oval with a smooth margin and a yellowish green upper surface. A pair of strong, curved thorns is borne at the location of each whorl of leaves. The flowers are borne in dense axillary spikes, with each individual flower having five sepals, five petals, and ten stamens. The fruits are twisted or coiled pods, up to 15 cm (6 in) long, containing several coffee-coloured seeds inside. P. chilensis flowers between October and December, and the fruits ripen between February and April.^[1]

Distribution and habitat

Prosopis chilensis is found in Peru, Bolivia, eastern Argentina, and central Chile, growing on light soils in arid regions. It is highly drought-resistant and likely fixes nitrogen. It has been introduced into Hawaii, where it is now commonly found growing in thickets behind beaches.^[6]

Uses

Prosopis chilensis is used as a shade tree and for firewood. The leaves are used as fodder for livestock and the pods and seeds are of high nutritive value and are ground to make an animal feed.^[6] Honey bees, and several other species of bee, pollinate the flowers.^[7]

References

1. "Prosopis chilensis". Enciclopedia de la Flora Chilena (in Spanish). Retrieved 2015-05-27.
2. Rogers, Ken E. (2010). The Magnificent Mesquite. University of Texas Press. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-292-78592-2.
3. Coimbra Sanz, Germán (2014). Diccionario enciclopédico cruceño, 3rd ed. Santa Cruz de la Sierra: Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de Santa Cruz. p. 121.
4. Mary Irish (2008). Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest: Woody Plants for Arid Gardens. Timber Press. pp. 260–261. ISBN 978-0-88192-905-8.
5. G. Rehm (2012). Multilingual Dictionary of Agronomic Plants. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 153. ISBN 978-94-011-0972-7.
6. "Prosopis chilensis". Firewood Crops: Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production. Washington, D.C.: National Academies of Sciences. 1980. p. 148. NAP:14438.
7. Genise, J.; Palacios, R. A.; Hoc, P. S.; Carrizo, R.; Moffat, L.; Mom, M. P.; Agullo, M. A.; Picca, P.; Torregrosa, S. (1990). "Observaciones sobre la biología floral de Prosopis (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae). II. Fases florales y visitantes en el distrito chaqueño serrano. [Observations on the floral biology of Prosopis (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae). II. Floral phases and visitors in the Chaqueño Serrano district]". Darwiniana (in Spanish and English). 30 (1–4): 71–85. JSTOR 23222518.

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