Syrian Mesquite
Prosopis farcta
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Source: Wikimedia | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Artist: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Zcebeci" title="User:Zcebeci">Zeynel Cebeci</a>
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Prosopis
- Species:
- Prosopis farcta
- USDA Symbol:
- PRFA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire; fire can stimulate seed germination.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) followed by warm stratification then cold stratification to break dormancy.