- Prosopis pubescens
Taxobox
name = "Prosopis pubescens"
image_width = 250px
image_caption = Mature fruit (beans or legumes) of "Prosopis pubescens"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Fabales
familia =Fabaceae
subfamilia =Mimosoideae
tribus =Mimoseae
genus = "Prosopis "
species = "P. pubescens"
binomial = "Prosopis pubescens""Prosopis pubescens" (Screwbean Mesquite), is a small
tree orshrub found in thesouthwestern United States (Texas ,Arizona ,New Mexico ,California , southernNevada andUtah ) andMexico . It has light brown bark, usually short, straight spines (1-3 cm), twice-compound leaves, and numerous, small, yellowish flowers appearing in elongate spikes. It is found along streams and valleys in deserts particularly in damp or saline soil, and grows to about 7 meters (20 ft). The tree is also called "Tornillo" or simply "Screwbean". The name arises because the tightly twisted legumes very much resemble a turned screw. This morphology may have been an evolutionary defense against seed predators such as bruchid beetles (bean weevils).
Inflorescence of "Prosopis pubescens"Uses
Food
Like those of other
mesquite s, screwbean has nutritious pods that can be eaten. Mesquite meal is a traditional Native American food. Used as a staple food for centuries by desert dwellers, this high protein meal contains good quantities of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc, and is rich in the amino acid lysine as well. Mesquite is high in fiber, moderate in sugar, and eight percent protein. It has a sweet, rich, molasses-like flavor with a hint of caramel which blends well into smoothies or other drinks, especially those made withcacao andmaca .Approximate Nutritional Value of Mesquite Pod MealAmt/100gProtein 16 gFat 3.4 gCalories 380Fiber 36 g
Minerals: Barium 3.7 mgBoron 3.2 mgCalcium 520 mgChromium 0.12 mgCobalt 0.03 mgCopper 0.8 mgIron 18 mgMagnesium 140 mgManganese 2.3 mgMolybdenum 0.05 mgPhosphorus 215 mgPotassium 1712 mgSodium 12 mgSulfur 222 mgZinc 3.0 mg
External links
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=prpu_001_ahp.jpgPhoto: NRCS: USDA Plants Profile] , Photo #2: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=prpu_002_ahp.tif] , Range: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PRPU] , AZ: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Arizona&statefips=04&symbol=PRPU] , NM: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=New%20Mexico&statefips=35&symbol=PRPU]
References
* National Audubon Society, Field Guide to Trees, Western Region, North America, 1980, pg. 501.
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