« Browse By Botanical Name

Prosopis laevigata

Accession Count: 3
Common Name: smooth mesquite
Family Name: Fabaceae
Botanical Name: Prosopis laevigata
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Acacia laevigata; Prosopis dulcis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Compound: Pro lae
Geographic Origin: S. Texas / Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The Smooth Mesquite originated in Mexico and spread across the Southwest into Texas and Arizona. It has a long life in favorable conditions and had the potential to withstand multiple years of drought. Its unique root system is one of the reasons it can withstand long periods of time without water. It has one of the deepest root systems ever documented; one example was 160 feet below the surface, allowing the plant to find water that most plants cannot reach. Once a mesquite tree has developed its roots enrich the soil allowing for grass to grow and survive beneath it, even in the desert.  Livestock benefit from fruit provided by the plant, the grass under the plant and the shade that is provided by the canopy. 
Cultivation Notes: The mesquite is now sometimes considered a rangeland pest because of over vegetation and uselessness for the plant. 
Ethnobotany: Humans have used smooth mesquite’s hard wood for lumber, firewood, shelter, and furniture. The beans are eaten by livestock and collected by humans to create flour. Mesquite is one of the most used woods to smoke and flavor meat. 
Height: 16 - 20 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Yellow
Function: Shade
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Allergenic
Invasive: Invasive
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:

1. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?100103 (02 February 2015)


2. "Plants Profile for Prosopis Laevigata (smooth Mesquite)." Plants Profile for Prosopis Laevigata (smooth Mesquite). N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015. <http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PRLA6>.


3. The Desert Museum. "Fabaceae (legume Family)." Fabaceae (legume Family). N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015 <https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_fabaceae.php>.

Alert

Prosopis laevigata