Prosopis
The importance of Prosopis in today's society is undeniable. Whether it is a particular person or topic, Prosopis has a significant impact on our daily lives. Throughout history, Prosopis has been the subject of debate and discussion, stirring emotions and driving change. In this article, we will explore the role Prosopis plays in our daily lives, as well as its influence on different aspects of society. From its impact on culture to its role in politics and economics, Prosopis has a prominent place on the world stage. Knowing more about Prosopis allows us to better understand the world around us and the forces that shape our reality.
| Prosopis | |
|---|---|
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| Prosopis cineraria tree known as Khejri in Rajasthani and Hindi | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Prosopis L.[1] |
| Type species | |
| Prosopis spicigera L.[2]
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| Species | |
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See text | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Prosopis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. The current circumscription of the genus contains three species found in northern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia.[4] Previously it also contained around 40 species of spiny trees and shrubs found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas and Africa, now mostly placed in genera Strombocarpa and Neltuma. They often thrive in arid soil and are resistant to drought, 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. The generic name means "burdock" in late Latin and originated in the Greek language.[5]
Species
The current circumscription of the genus contains three species, which are found in South Asia, the Middle East and northern Africa.[6][7]
- Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce – Persian mesquite, ghaf, khejri (Arabian Peninsula, Iran and South Asia)[8]
- Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F.Macbr. – Syrian mesquite (northern Africa, Middle East, Central and South Asia)[9]
- Prosopis koelziana Burkart (Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and Iran)[10]
Traditionally the genus included many more species with a cosmopolitan distribution. A taxonomic monograph in 1976 by Arturo Erhardo Burkart recognised 44 species and subdivided the genus into five sections: section Anonychium in Africa, section Prosopis in Asia, and sections Algarobia, Monilicarpa and Strombocarpa in the New World.[11][12] Twelve additional species in section Algarobia have since been recognised. A genomic analysis published in 2022 concluded that Prospopsis was polyphyletic and that species traditionally grouped under the genus Prosopis belonged to four genera that broadly aligned with the Burkart's sections: Anonychium, Neltuma (for sections Algarobia and Monilicarpa), Prosopis, and Strombocarpa.[12]
The following phylogenetic tree shows the relationship of these genera (bold) with other closely related mimosoid genera.[12]
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Selected former species
- African species now placed in Anonychium
- Former Prosopis sect. Anonychium
- Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) Taub. – African mesquite or gele (in Malinke, traditional djembe wood)
- New World species now placed in Strombocarpa
- Former Prosopis sect. Strombocarpa
- Prosopis abbreviata Benth. – algarrobillo espinoso
- Prosopis pubescens Benth. – screwbean mesquite
- Prosopis reptans Benth. – tornillo
- Prosopis strombulifera (Lam.) Benth. – creeping mesquite, Argentine screwbean
- Prosopis tamarugo Phil. – tamarugo
- New World species now placed in Neltuma
- Former section Monilicarpa
- Former section Algarobia
- Prosopis affinis Spreng. – nandubay, algarrobillo, espinillo, Ibopé-morotí
- Prosopis alba Griseb. – algarrobo blanco; ibopé or igopé (Guaraní)
- Prosopis caldenia Burkart – caldén
- Prosopis chilensis (Molina) Stuntz – algarrobo Chileno, algarrobo blanco
- Prosopis fiebrigii Harms
- Prosopis flexuosa DC. – alpataco, algarrobo negro
- Prosopis glandulosa Torr. – honey mesquite
- Prosopis hassleri Harms
- Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.
- Prosopis kuntzei Harms ex Kuntze – itín, barba de tigre, carandá, palo mataco
- Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C.Johnst. – smooth mesquite
- Prosopis nigra (Griseb.) Hieron. – algarrobo negro, algarrobo amarillo, algarrobo dulce, algarrobo morado
- Prosopis pallida (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Kunth – American carob, huarango, kiawe (Hawaiian)
- Prosopis rojasiana Burkart
- Prosopis ruscifolia Griseb. – vinal
- Prosopis velutina Wooton – velvet mesquite
- Other species formerly placed in Prosopis
- Acacia atramentaria Benth. (as P. astringens Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.)
- Entada elephantina (Burch.) S.A.O’Donnell & G.P.Lewis (as P. elephantina (Burch.) E.Mey. or P. elephantorrhiza Spreng.)
- Prosopidastrum globosum (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Burkart (as P. globosa Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.)
References
Notes
- ^ "Prosopis L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 1999-03-05. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
- ^ "Prosopis L." TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
- ^ Prosopis L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ "Prosopis L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. Vol. 4 M-Q. CRC Press. p. 2171. ISBN 978-0-8493-2677-6.
- ^ "Prosopis L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Prosopis L." World Flora Online. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F.Macbr". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ "Prosopis koelziana Burkart". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ^ Burkart, Arturo Erhardo (1976). "A Monograph of the Genus Prosopis (Leguminosae Subfam. Mimosoideae)". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 57 (3): 219–249.
- ^ a b c Hughes, Colin E.; Ringelberg, Jens; Lewis, G. P.; Catalano, Santiago (August 2022). "Disintegration of the genus Prosopis L. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade)". PhytoKeys (205). Pensoft Publishers: 147–189. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.205.75379. PMC 9849005. PMID 36762004.
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
External links
Media related to Prosopis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Prosopis at Wikispecies- U.S. Federal Noxious Weed List (USDA)
- The Prosopis Website (Has a nice range map)
