Chilean Mesquite Trees. Prosopis chilensis, Bean or Legume Family ( Fabaceae ), Chilean Mesquite. Also Called: Algarrobo, Ceratonia chilensis. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Evergreen to Deciduous Tree A low-branched, broad spreading tree, sometimes a large shrub. The flowers are yellow-green, drooping catkins about 2-3 inches long. The Chilean mesquite has been widely planted in the Southwest and readily cross pollinates with our native species. Some Chilean mesquite trees have thorns, some do not. Even though this is a recommended xeriscape plant by city governments in Arizona, it is high maintaince and invasive. Its limbs break easily in monsoon storms in Arizona. We do not recommend its use. Quick Notes: Height: Up to about 20 - 30 feet tall, spread about 20 - 30 feet. Trunk/Twigs: An attractive gray shaggy - rough trunk; the twigs are jointy, branches gnarled and twisted. Thorns: 3 inch long thornns. Usefull as a barrier tree. Flowers: Pale green - yellow, 2 to 3 inches long, appearing in late spring and early summer. Inflorescences, axillary spikes. Blooming Time: April to June. Seed Pods: Brown pods; 3 - 5 inches long 1/2 inch wide. Seeds: Hard, brown, shinny. Leaves: The leaves are bipinnately compound in pairs, 10-29 leaflets per pinnae and no more than two pairs of pinnae per leaf. The leaflets are about 1/8 inch apart. Found: Native to the semi-arid regions of north- western Argentina and northern Chile. Elevation: 0 to 5,000 feet. Hardiness: USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Habitat: Dry, well-drained soils; drought tolerant. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken May 16, 2006. At Glendale, Arizona. A low water use landscaping plant in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. High maintaince and invasive.

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