Prosopis

Prosopis is a genus of about 45 species of leguminous spiny trees and shrubs found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, Africa and southwest Asia. They often thrive in arid soil and are resistant to droughts, 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.

Species
Some of the species in this genus are:
 * Mesquite species (southern United States, Mexico):
 * Prosopis glandulosa (Honey Mesquite)
 * Prosopis pallida
 * Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean Mesquite)
 * Prosopis reptans (Tornillo)
 * Prosopis strombulifera (Creeping Mesquite)
 * Prosopis velutina (Velvet Mesquite)
 * South American species (algarrobos of the Gran Chaco and others):
 * Prosopis affinis (Ñandubay)
 * Prosopis alba (Algarrobo blanco)
 * Prosopis alba var. panta (Algarrobo panta)
 * Prosopis caldenia (Caldén)
 * Prosopis chilensis (Algarrobo chileno)
 * Prosopis fiebrigii
 * Prosopis flexuosa (Alpataco)
 * Prosopis hassleri
 * Prosopis juliflora
 * Prosopis kuntzei (Itín)
 * Prosopis nigra (Algarrobo negro)
 * Prosopis rojasiana
 * Prosopis ruscifolia (Vinal)
 * African species
 * Prosopis africana
 * Asian species (India (mainly Rajasthan), Syria, Iraq):
 * Prosopis cineraria (Khejri, Jand, Sangri, Kandi)
 * Uncategorized species

Phytochemistry
Prosopis has been found to contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, apigenin, isorhamnetin-3-diglucoside, l-arabinose, quercetin, tannin and tryptamine.

General References

 * Paciecznik, N. M., Harris P. J. C., & S. J. Smith. 2003. Identifying Tropical Prosopis Species: A Field Guide. HDRA, Coventry, UK. ISBN 0-905343-34-4.
 * Handbook on taxonomy of Prosopis in Mexico, Peru and Chile (FAO Document Repository)
 * Plant Walk I: Old Main (website of the Vascular Plant Herbarium of the University of Arizona in Tucson)
 * Plant Walk 1 UofA
 * Plant Walk 2 UofA