Velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina Voot.) is a tropical perennial shrub or tree of desertic areas. Originally from Central America, it has been introduced to other regions as a source of feed or firewood. It has become a pest in some countries.
Morphology
Prosopis velutina is a large shrub to small tree reaching a height of 15 m. The trunk is short, covered with a shaggy bark. Velvet mesquite is much branched. The branches are crooked and form a rounded crown. All parts of the plant are softly hairy, hence the name velvet. The leaves are alternate, bipinnate, up to 6 cm in length. The 12-30 leaflets are coriaceous, oblong in shape, 10 mm long x 2-3 mm broad. The inflorescences are catkins, 5-9 (-25) cm long with short-pedicelled, externally pubescent flowers, yellow in colour. The fruit is a linear to moderately curved, constricted pod, 10-20 cm in length that contains 10-17 ovate seeds (Pasiecznik, 2016; Anderson et al., 2000).
Uses
In Southern America and Central America, velvet mesquite has been traditionally used by native populations who ground the seeds into flour and used it for meal preparation, for bakery etc. (Vint, 2017; Gormally, 2011; Saunders et al., 1986). It has been assessed and introduced in developing countries as a source of firewood and is considered as a potential multipurpose species. The pods are consumed by a very wide range of domestic and wild mammals and birds. Pods are browsed on the trees or eaten on the ground when they have fallen. Flowers are consumed by livestock when they are available, and provide valuable nectar for honey bees. The foliage of mesquite is not eaten in great extent but may be appreciated in times of drought or scarcity of forage. In Mexico, farmers were reported to grind mesquite seeds to feed cattle. Velvet mesquite provides habitat to animals: lizzards live in the tree, birds nest in it, and rodents have their burrows under it. The tree provides unvaluable shade in desert areas and allows animals to deal with heat. As a pioneering species, velvet mesquite may be used in rehabilitation programmes in places invaded with saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) (Uchytil, 1990).
