Algarroba-bean (Prosopis juliflora, Prodr. 2: 447 (1825))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Sw.) DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 2: 447 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Prosopis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Venezuela, Peru, Caribbean

Description

The Algarroba-bean, known scientifically as Prosopis juliflora, is a significant plant species within the Fabaceae family. First described in 1825 by the botanist (Sw.) DC., this resilient and adaptive tree has a wide natural distribution across the Americas, particularly from Mexico to Venezuela, Peru, and the Caribbean.

Prosopis juliflora thrives in arid and semi-arid environments, showcasing its adaptability to challenging climates. This drought-resistant species is renowned for its hardy nature, often becoming a dominant vegetation type in the regions it inhabits. The tree exhibits a rich cultural and ecological significance in its native areas, where it serves multiple purposes.

The Algarroba-bean offers numerous benefits, both economically and environmentally. Its wood is highly valued for fuel and construction, while the pods provide a nutritious food source for both humans and livestock. The seeds can be ground into flour or fermented into a type of alcoholic beverage, highlighting the plant’s versatility. Additionally, Prosopis juliflora fixes nitrogen in the soil, enhancing fertility and promoting the growth of other crops, which is particularly useful in agroforestry systems.

In many areas, the Algarroba-bean is recognized for its ability to combat desertification, providing critical cover and stabilization for soils. However, it’s important to note that in some regions, its invasive nature has posed challenges, outcompeting local flora and disrupting existing ecosystems.

In conclusion, Prosopis juliflora, or the Algarroba-bean, stands out as a crucial species within its range, offering invaluable resources and environmental benefits while also presenting certain ecological challenges that require careful management.

Common Names

Deu: mesquite, mesquitebaum
Eng: mesquite, algarroba-bean, ironwood
Dan: mesquitetræ
Spa: trupillo, algarrobo, cují negro, mesquite
Por: algaroba
Fra: bayarone
Swe: mesquite
En: Algarroba-bean, Mesquite, Ironwood, Alaroba, Mezquit tree, River algarrobo, Screw Bean, Bayahonda Blanca, Honey locust, South West Thorn, Algaroba, Algorrobo, Bean, Cashew, Commom mesquite, Honey pod, Screw, Velvet mesquite
Ar: غاف عسيلي الأزهار
Az: Sırğаçiçək pişikdırnаğı
Bm: Toubau intome
Zh: 牧豆树
Da: Mesquitetræ
Fi: Meksikonmeskite
Fr: Bayarone, Bayaron, Algaroba, Zépinard, Epinard, Bayaron blanc
De: Mesquitebaum, Mesquite
Ht: Pye bayawonn
He: ינבוט המסקיטו
Hi: बिलायती बबूल
Ml: സാലിമരം
Fa: کهور پاکستانی
Pl: Jadłoszyn baziowaty
Pt: Algaroba, Algarrobo, Acacie baie à ondes
Pt-br: Algaroba, Prosópis
Qu: Tarku
Es: Algarrobo, Mesquite, Cují negro, Trupillo, Prosopis juliflora, Algarrobe, Carbon, Cuji, Manca Caballo, Mezquite, Mostrenco, Yaque, Acacia de catarina, Algarrobo del Brasil, Aroma bayamondo, Cuji negro, Cuji yaque, Espino ruco, Mareno, Mesquito, Nacascol, Plumo de oro, Thacco, Vallahonda
Sv: Mesquite
Ta: சீமை கருவேலமரம்
Te: సర్కారు తుమ్మ
Wo: Toubab Dakhar

Synonyms

• Mimosa juliflora (Sw.)
• Acacia juliflora ((Sw.) Willd.)
• Neltuma juliflora ((Sw.) Raf.)
• Entada juliflora ((Sw.) Roberty)
• Algarobia juliflora ((Sw.) Heynh.)

Distribution

• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Socotra (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Augustin Soulard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2022 by Pierre-Marie HERVE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Ayesha Sheikh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Vincent lu (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 4, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by La Rosa Katherine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Augustin Soulard (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Augustin Soulard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2021 by Ayesha Sheikh (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Mar 19, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Eddy STEINERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Lisa Ani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5358460)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1002432-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth