How do you identify Prosopis juliflora?

Flowers are light greenish-yellow, arranged in cylindrical spikes 5-10 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Fruits are flattened, curved, indehiscent pods (4 mm thick, 1-1.5 cm wide and 15-20 cm long) (Ecoport, 2010). Pods are straw-coloured and contain a fleshy and sugary mesocarp (Göhl, 1982).

Is Prosopis juliflora invasive?

It has shown itself to be a very aggressive invader, especially in frost-free arid and semi-arid natural grasslands, both in its native range and in particular, where introduced. Prosopis as a genus is treated as one of the world’s worst invasive plant species, and P. juliflora is by far the most invasive species.

How do I get rid of Prosopis juliflora?

The treatments were: control, girdling of the stem, girdling and brushing of used lubricating oil; girdling and application of 2,4-D + picloram, clear cutting, clear cutting followed by burning of the stump; clear cutting and brushing of used lubricating oil; and clear cutting and application of 2,4-D + picloram.

Where is Prosopis juliflora?

Native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, Prosopis juliflora or Mesquite is a deciduous, shrub or tree growing up to 12 m in height and 1.2 m in trunk diameter.

Where can the ghaf tree be found?

Prosopis cineraria, also known as ‘Ghaf, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to arid portions of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

Its extract is widely used in cosmetics. It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.

Is mesquite a tree or a bush?

Mesquite is the most common shrub/small tree of the desert southwest. Like many members of the legume family (called Fabaceae these days), mesquite restores nitrogen to the soil.

Why is plant called Prosopis juliflora?

Detailed Solution. The Correct Answer is Option 2 i.e It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. The kikar or Prosopis juliflora was brought to Delhi from Mexico by the British more than a century ago. It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.

How did Prosopis juliflora came to India?

The seeds were received from Jamaica and sown in South India during 1877. Nagar selling the tree’s seeds. While various species of Prosopis were introduced at the time, P. juliflora has spread over large areas and has naturalised in most of the arid and semi-arid regions of India.

Why is the ghaf tree so special?

In 2008, it was declared as the national tree of the UAE because of its great cultural and traditional significance. The Ghaf is a drought-tolerant tree, able to withstand the harsh desert environment and still remain green. It can be found on low sand dunes and its presence is an indicator there is water underground.

How long do Ghaf trees live?

120 years
Ghaf trees can live for up to 120 years on average. A well-known example of the Ghaf is the 400-year-old ‘Tree of Life’ in Bahrain, which is still growing in the desert without any obvious sources of water. Traditionally Ghaf leaves and pods provided food and its nutritious branches were used for livestock.

What is Karuvelam Maram?

The Karuvelam tree, or prosopis juliflora as its known biologically, is a species native to West Africa and was brought to Tamil Nadu in 1960s as fuelwood. Slowly, these seeds started drifting into dams and rivers, causing problems.

How tall does a Prosopis juliflora tree grow?

Prosopis juliflora is a thorny evergreen tree with a large, flat-topped crown and open canopy; it can grow from 5 – 10 metres tall. The short, crooked bole can be up to 45cm in diameter [ 0 An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant – its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.

How tall does a Prosopis chilensis tree grow?

As a consequence, much of the early research in Africa and Hawaii concerning Prosopis chilensis may be about other Prosopis species ( Gabar, 1988; Pasiecznik et al., 2001 ). Mesquite ( Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC), one of the 44 species of Prosopis, is an evergreen leguminous tree, typical of arid and semi-arid regions, growing up to 10-15 m high.

What to do about Prosopis juliflora in India?

In Rajasthan (India), sheep farmers have to face the problem of the infestation by Prosopis juliflora bushes on already scarce grazing areas ( Dinesh et al., 2003 ). It is possible to control mesquite by regular pruning and turn it into a valuable tree that is less aggressive to grasses or crops.

What was the original name of the Prosopis plant?

Originally known as Mimosa juliflora Sw., it became both Algarobia juliflora (Sw.) Benth. ex Heynh. and Neltuma juliflora (Sw.) Raf. during the last two centuries before both genera were incorporated into the single, overarching genus Prosopis.