Prosopis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. The current circumscription of the genus contains three species found in northern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia.[4] Previously it also contained around 40 species of spinytrees and shrubs found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas and Africa. They often thrive in aridsoil and are resistant to drought, on occasion developing extremely deep root systems. Their wood is usually hard, dense and durable. Their fruits are pods and may contain large amounts of sugar. The generic name means "burdock" in late Latin and originated in the Greek language.[5]
Traditionally the genus included many more species with a cosmopolitan distribution. A taxonomic monograph in 1976 by Arturo Erhardo Burkart recognised 44 species and subdivided the genus into five sections: section Anonychium in Africa, section Prosopis in Asia, and sections Algarobia, Monilicarpa and Strombocarpa in the New World.[11][12] Twelve additional species in section Algarobia have since been recognised. A genomic analysis published in 2022 concluded that Prospopsis was polyphyletic and that species traditionally grouped under the genus Prosopis belonged to four genera that broadly aligned with the Burkart's sections: Anonychium, Neltuma (for sections Algarobia and Monilicarpa), Prosopis, and Strombocarpa.[12]
The following phylogenetic tree shows the relationship of these genera (bold) with other closely related mimosoid genera.[12]
The tannins present in Prosopis species are of the pyrogallotannin and pyrocatecollic types.[20] The tannins are mainly found in the bark and wood, while their concentration in the pods is low.[21]
The species Prosopis pallida was introduced to Hawaii in 1828 and now dominates many of the drier coastal parts of the islands, where it is called the kiawe tree and is a prime source of monofloral honey production.[23]
In Australia, invasive Prosopis species are causing severe economic and environmental damage. With their thorns and many low branches, Prosopis shrubs form impenetrable thickets which prevent cattle from accessing watering holes, etc. They also take over pastoral grasslands and suck up scarce water. Prosopis species cause land erosion due to loss of grassland that are habitats for native plants and animals. Prosopis thickets also provide shelter for feral animals such as pigs and cats.[24]
Eradicating Prosopis is difficult because the plant's bud regeneration zone can extend down to 6in (150mm) below ground level;[25][26] the tree can regenerate from a piece of root left in the soil.[25] Some herbicides are not effective or only partially effective against mesquite. Spray techniques for removal, while effective against short-term regrowth, are expensive, costing more than $70/acre ($170/hectare) in the USA. Removing large trees requires tracked equipment; costs can approach $2,000 per acre. In Australia, several techniques are used to remove Prosopis.[24]
↑ Rocha, R. G. A. (1988). "Prosopis juliflora as a source of food and medicine for rural inhabitants in Rio Grande do Norte". In Habit, M. A.; Saavedra, J. C. (eds.). The Current State of Knowledge on Prosopis juliflora. FAO. pp.397–403. hdl:20.500.14283/ad317e.
↑ Adikwu, MU; Ezeabasili, SI; Esimone, CO (2001). "Evaluation of the physico-chemical properties of a new polysaccharide gum from Prosopis africana". Bollettino Chimico Farmaceutico. 140 (1): 40–5. PMID11338777.
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