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Fabaceae FAMILY

Prosopis alpataco

Prosopis alpataco

Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Shrub
Growth—

Prosopis alpataco is native from the arid temperate climate of southern central Argentina north to the tropics of southern Bolivia. In Argentina it can grow in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 80 - 200mm, and the mean annual temperature is 15 - 17°c[1]. Species in this genus generaly require a sunny position in a well-drained soil[2]. This species, however, is most commonly found growing in saline and alkaline, clay soils in areas subject to seasonal inundation and along river banks where floods are frequent[1]. Plants have a high tolerance of saline conditions, even when young[1]. The plant has a deep root system that extends downwards to reach the groundwater table[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[3].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[PFAF]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Prosopis+alpataco>

Pollinators

Bees, Insects

References

  1. [1]Prosopis alpataco Phil. (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae) — Riveros C.G.; Meglioli P.A. & Villagra P.E. · 2011 ↩︎
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
  4. [4]Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 57 — Harvard University · 1976 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎A botanical magazine, this issue has a comprehensive treatment of the genus Prosopis as well as several other articles. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
  5. [5]Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants — http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 ↩︎Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
  6. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎