Screwbean Mesquite, American Screwbean, Tornillo, Screwbean, Screwpod Mesquite, Twisted Bean, Fremont Screwbean, Strombocarpa odorata
A graceful southwestern native, Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean Mesquite) is a deciduous shrub or small tree of vase-like habit with long, slender branches and an open canopy of feathery, bluish-green leaves. Twice-compound, the small leaves, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), have 5-9 pairs of leaflets. The twigs are armed with paired slender spines, up to 1 in. long (2.5 cm), at the base of each leaf. From late spring to mid-summer, a profusion of pale yellow flowers appear in narrow clusters. Favored by bees, they are followed by decorative clusters of tightly coiled pods, 2 in. long (5 cm), that contain numerous seeds. They are valuable forage for livestock and wildlife. Native Americans made meals, cakes, and syrup from the pods and prepared a treatment for wounds from the root bark. The unusual seedpods of this desert shrub or small tree can also be used in dried arrangements. Prized for its beautiful flower displays, blue-green foliage, and unique seedpods held in groups like Christmas ribbons, this desert plant is a naturally shrubby plant that is often used as a barrier planting, but it can be trained as a tree where light shade would be desirable.
Hardiness |
7 - 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Leguminosae |
Common names | Tornillo, Mesquite |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 8' - 30' (240cm - 9.1m) |
Spread | 8' - 30' (240cm - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Utah |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
Hardiness |
7 - 10 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Leguminosae |
Common names | Tornillo, Mesquite |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 8' - 30' (240cm - 9.1m) |
Spread | 8' - 30' (240cm - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Utah |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
Attracts | Bees, Birds |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
How many Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean Mesquite) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean Mesquite) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!