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. Indians made meals, cakes, and syrup from the pods and prepared a treatment for wounds from the root bark. The unusual seedpods 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, Screwbean Mesquite 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 |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
8' - 30' (240cm - 9m) |
Spread |
8' - 30' (240cm - 9m) |
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 | Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Texas, United States, 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 |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
8' - 30' (240cm - 9m) |
Spread |
8' - 30' (240cm - 9m) |
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 | Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Texas, United States, 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!