Velvet Mesquite
(Prosopis velutina)
Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina)
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Sue in az
CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sue in az
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CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo by: Sue in az | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Uploader: Sue in az~commonswiki | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Velvet_mesquite_catkins.jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Prosopis velutina, commonly known as Velvet Mesquite, is a deciduous tree or shrub native to desert washes, grasslands, and riparian woodlands of the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. It can grow to 30–50 ft (9–15 m) tall, with a canopy that spreads out to provide dappled shade. Velvet Mesquite is well-adapted to its arid environment, with a deep taproot that can sink far deeper than the height of the tree, allowing it to access water sources inaccessible to most plants. Its roots can extend to about 50 ft (15 m), stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion. The young branches are green and photosynthetic, while young bark is reddish-brown and smooth, maturing to a dark, dusty gray or brown with a shredded texture. Yellow thorns up to one inch long protect the tree from herbivores.
Velvet Mesquite is valued for its resilience in dry climates, its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, and its provision of shade and habitat for wildlife. It is used in reforestation projects, as a windbreak, and for erosion control. The tree is also cultivated for its ornamental qualities, particularly its feathery foliage and yellow flowers that bloom in the spring, forming dense cylindrical clusters (catkins) roughly 4 in (10 cm) long. The long seedpods (legumes) that form from the flowers are an important food source for wildlife and can be used in human cuisine as well. Velvet Mesquite thrives in full sun and can tolerate various soil types, provided they are well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established but can also accept occasional deep watering. Gardeners should be aware of its potential invasiveness outside its native range and its thorns when planting near pedestrian areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Velvet Mesquite is valued for its resilience in dry climates, its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, and its provision of shade and habitat for wildlife. It is used in reforestation projects, as a windbreak, and for erosion control. The tree is also cultivated for its ornamental qualities, particularly its feathery foliage and yellow flowers that bloom in the spring, forming dense cylindrical clusters (catkins) roughly 4 in (10 cm) long. The long seedpods (legumes) that form from the flowers are an important food source for wildlife and can be used in human cuisine as well. Velvet Mesquite thrives in full sun and can tolerate various soil types, provided they are well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established but can also accept occasional deep watering. Gardeners should be aware of its potential invasiveness outside its native range and its thorns when planting near pedestrian areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 20-30 feet
- Width: 15-20 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Green, Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to desert washes, grasslands, and riparian woodlands in the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Prosopis velutina , Prosopis juliflora var. velutina , Prosopis chilensis var. velutina , Neltuma velutina , Prosopis juliflora var. vellutina
GBIF Accepted Name: Prosopis velutina Wooton