Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa
Also listed as Algarobia glandulosa, Dasiogyna glandulosa
Also known as Honey Mesquite
Climate Match for your location
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A deep-rooted, nitrogen-fixing desert tree producing nutritious seed pods that can be ground into flour or used as livestock feed. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for arid and semi-arid permaculture systems.
Why grow it
Mesquite outperforms most nitrogen-fixing trees in truly arid climates where legumes struggle, producing edible seed pods with protein content comparable to cereal grains. Its exceptionally deep root system makes it valuable for stabilizing disturbed soils and accessing water unavailable to shallow-rooted species, even in regions receiving less than 10 inches of annual rainfall. Where other multipurpose trees require supplemental irrigation to establish, mesquite succeeds on rainfall alone once roots develop.
Watch out for
Mesquite seedlings are slow-growing and benefit from protection during establishment, particularly in competition with faster-growing vegetation. Mature trees develop extensive root systems that can interfere with nearby plantings or hardscape, so plan spacing accordingly. Pod production may be inconsistent year to year depending on rainfall timing and intensity during flowering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern North America and Mexico
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deep-rooted, nitrogen-fixing desert tree producing nutritious seed pods that can be ground into flour or used as livestock feed. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and valuable for arid and semi-arid permaculture systems.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mesquite grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mesquite outperforms most nitrogen-fixing trees in truly arid climates where legumes struggle, producing edible seed pods with protein content comparable to cereal grains. Its exceptionally deep root system makes it valuable for stabilizing disturbed soils and accessing water unavailable to shallow-rooted species, even in regions receiving less than 10 inches of annual rainfall. Where other multipurpose trees require supplemental irrigation to establish, mesquite succeeds on rainfall alone once roots develop.
Watch out for
Mesquite seedlings are slow-growing and benefit from protection during establishment, particularly in competition with faster-growing vegetation. Mature trees develop extensive root systems that can interfere with nearby plantings or hardscape, so plan spacing accordingly. Pod production may be inconsistent year to year depending on rainfall timing and intensity during flowering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Fabaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern North America and Mexico
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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