Prosopis argentina Burkart
Fabaceae
Mimosoideae
NOTE: Very few seeds of Prosopis argentina were available for examination. Therefore, the description and images in this fact sheet may not be representative of this species’ seeds.
mesquite
Pods linear-moniliform, terete, lax; 5–13 cm long; with 4–14 globose to ellipsoid articles each 6–8 mm in diameter, 8–12 mm long, and central isthmi very thin. Stipitate, apex short-tapered to caudate. Surface ridges wrinkled to irregularly folded. Endocarp segments with convex faces and acute extremities, bony, closed; mesocarp thin. Seeds oriented longitudinally.
Seeds slightly narrowly obovate to elliptic in outline, 6–7.5 mm long, 3.25–4.5 mm wide, 2–3 mm thick, usually compressed along edges, rising to prominent umbo, +/– spindle-shaped in cross section, radicle lobe sometimes prominent. Pleurogram small, narrow, somewhat basal. Lens a light-colored mound.
The linear-moniliform, red to reddish-brown pods are unique in the genus. Seeds have a relatively small pleurogram.
Argentina
dry conditions, in sand dunes, found at 2000 m elevation
Prosopis argentina is a spiny shrub 1.5–3 m tall, capable of thriving in conditions of extreme drought.