Prosopis: weed or wonder tree?
Prosopis wood used for making charcoal
What is Prosopis?
Prosopis, also commonly known as mesquite in English and algarrobo in Spanish, is a drought-resistant, nitrogen-fixing tree, which is extremely hardy in poor and saline soils, and can grow where most other vegetation fails.
How can it be used?
Prosopis has many uses: for livestock fodder, human food from the pods and honey from the flowers, wood for fuel, timber for furniture and construction, livestock fencing, charcoal, medicines, pest control, shade, soil stabilisation and soil fertility improvement.
Where is it found?
Many species of the genus Prosopis, but primarily Prosopis juliflora, were introduced from their native Latin America over the past two centuries to reforest barren lands, and are now some of the most common trees in the dry tropics of the world.
Prosopis training
Why is it a problem?
Because of its hardiness it has become an invasive weed and a problem in many areas. It spreads rapidly by seed along water-courses and across grazing lands and, being thorny and shrubby, can quickly form impenetrable thickets, blocking tracks and preventing access to water.
How can it be controlled?
Most eradication programmes have proved unsuccessful. Improved knowledge and understanding on its management and uses provides a way of keeping it under control whilst benefiting resource-poor communities.
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