Prosopis strombulifera var. strombulifera

Shrubs, 0.2–1.5(–3) m. Trunks: bark light to dark brown, deeply fissured and flakey. Branches distinctly flexuous. Stems gla­brous, gland-dotted. Leaves: stipules modified paired spines, decurrent, white, 0.1–2 cm, gla­brous; petiole/rachis 1.5–4.5 cm; pinnae 2; leaflets 6–16, usually alternate, rarely opposite, 3.5–5 mm apart, blades gray-green, oblong, 2–9 × 0.8–2 mm, base rounded to oblique, margins sparsely ciliate, enervate or slightly 1–3-veined, apex obtuse, surfaces glaucous, puberulous, or glabrescent. Peduncles 1.5–6 cm, glabrescent. Inflorescences globose heads, 1.5 cm. Flowers: sepals 1.5–2.2 mm, puberulous; petals mostly connate, yellow, 3–4 mm, lobes 1 mm, villous adaxially; stamens yellow; filaments 4–5 mm, glabrous; anthers 1.5 mm; ovary short-stipitate, 1.5 mm, sparsely villous; style 1.5–2 mm, glabrous. Loments lemon yellow to yellow-tan, cylindric, coiled (8–17 coils), 1.8–5.2 × 0.6–1 cm, puber­ulous when young. Seeds gray-green, ovoid, 4.5–5.4 mm.

Phenology: Flowering Jul.
Habitat: Disturbed or waste ground.
Elevation: 0–80 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Calif., South America (Argentina, Chile).

Discussion

Variety strombulifera is probably introduced in Imperial County. The fruits are reportedly sold in mar­kets in Chile as an astringent and toothache remedy. The roots produce a brown dye.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.