Fabaceae FAMILY

Prosopis pugionata

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Tree

Growth—

Prosopis pugionata is native to the arid and semi-arid climate of Argentina around 30°c south, where the climate can be very hot in the summer but with some winter frosts. Species in this genus generaly require a suny position in a well-drained soil^[1]. This species is closely related to Prosopis flexuosa DC, which has short spines and broader leaflets; Prosopis alpataco Philippi, with shrubby habit and underground branching; and Prosopis horrida Kunth, with bi- or trijugate leaves and broad leaflets^[2]. 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+pugionata>

Pollinators

Bees, Insects

References

[1]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.
[2]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.
[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.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎