Mesquite

Mesquite (from Nahuatl mizquitl) is a leguminous plant of the Prosopis genus found in Northern Mexico and the United States from the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas up to southwestern Kansas and from southeastern California and southwestern Utah to the southern limits of the Sonoran desert. Mesquite trees are also found in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico.

Description

These deciduous trees generally reach a height of 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 ft), although in most of their range they are shrub size. They have narrow, bipinnately compound leaves 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 inches) long, of which the pinnules are sharply pointed. Twigs have a characteristic zig-zag form. Some common species of Mesquite are Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina), Creeping Mesquite (Prosopis strombulifera) and Screwbean Mesquite (Prosopis pubescens).

Mesquite is an extremely hardy, drought-tolerant plant because it can draw water from the water table through its long taproot (recorded at up to 190 ft in depth). However, it can also use water in the upper part of the ground, depending upon availability. The tree can easily and rapidly switch from utilizing one water source to the other.

Many people, especially ranchers, consider the tree a nuisance because they believe it competes with rangeland grasses for moisture. In many parts of Texas, particularly West and Central Texas, the proliferation of mesquite is partly responsible for lowering of groundwater tables. However, salt cedar has had a greater effect on water consumption, in some cases even displacing existing mesquite.

Eradicating mesquite is difficult because the plant's bud regeneration zone can extend down to 6 inches (150 mm) below ground level. The tree can regenerate from a piece of root left in the soil. Some herbicides are not effective or only partially effective against mesquite. Grubbing techniques for removal, while effective against short-term regrowth, are expensive, costing upwards of $70/acre ($17,000/km²).

New growth of mesquite has needle-sharp thorns up to 75 mm (3 in) long. The spines are tough enough to penetrate the soft soles of sneakers or similar footwear and can easily puncture tires.

Benefits

Bee Forage

The tree's flowers provide a nectar source for bees to produce mesquite honey (monofloral honey), which has a characteristic flavour.

Environment

Mesquite trees grow quickly and furnish shade and wildlife habitat where other trees will not grow. Being a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil where it grows, although this is rather newly discovered and is still a poorly understood part of its life cycle.

Food

The bean pods of the mesquite can be dried and ground into flour, adding a sweet, nutty taste to breads, or used to make jelly or wine.

When used in baking, the mesquite flour is used in combination with other flours – substitute ¼ cup-to-½ cup mesquite flour for each cup grain flour. Mesquite is used in breads, pancakes, muffins, cakes and even cookies. Mesquite can also flavour steaks, chicken, pork & fish. It can be added to vegetable stir-fries, scrambled eggs, soups, even ice cream.

Wild animals also eat mesquite bean pods, and in Death Valley coyote feces consisting almost entirely of mesquite beans and pods can often be seen.

Traditional Medicine

Mesquite leaves were once used medicinally; water infused with the leaves can be used as eye drops.

Wood

Mesquite wood is hard, allowing it to be used for furniture and implements. Wood from the Prosopis juliflora and Prosopis glandulosa is used for decorative woodworking and woodturning. It is highly desirable due to its dimensional stability, after being fully cured. The hard, dense lumber is also sold as Texas Ironwood and is rather harsh on saws, chain saws, and other tools.

As firewood, mesquite burns slow and very hot. When used to barbecue, the smoke from the wood adds a distinct flavor to the food. This is common in Texas-style barbecue, while in the Southeast, hickory is usually used. Artisans and woodcrafters in Northern Mexico claim that mesquite should be cut under the light of a full moon to avoid splitting. While this has not been proven, mesquite does take longer to cure than most hardwoods.

Cowboys on the famed King Ranch of South Texas used mesquite fires to heat their branding irons and also to cook their lunches. A slab of fajita meat (skirt steak) was laid skin side down directly on the mesquite coals and cooked to well done. Flour tortillas (stored in their chaps or chinks) were also heated directly on coals and rounded out the meal along with strong coffee.

As an introduced species

The species Prosopis pallida was introduced to Hawaii in 1828 and is now very common in the drier coastal parts of the islands, where it is called the Kiawe tree, which is a prime source of monofloral honey production.

Mesquite has also been introduced to parts of Africa, Asia and Australia and is considered by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's most problematic invasive species.

Species

• Prosopis alba
• Prosopis glandulosa (Honey mesquite)
• Prosopis nigra
• Prosopis pallida
• Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean mesquite)
• Prosopis reptans (Tornillo)
• Prosopis strombulifera (Creeping mesquite)
• Prosopis velutina (Velvet mesquite)

References

• Rogers, Ken E. (2000). The Magnificent Mesquite. University of Texas Press.

Notes

External links

• USDA NRCS Plants Database
• Honey mesquite, Screwbean mesquite, and Western mesquite at Texas A&M's Plant Answers
• Honey mesquite at the Texas Tree Planting Guide
• AgNews article on wood to ethanol using mesquite