Common Name: Ghaf

General Information

Prosopis cineraria is a small thorny, irregularly branched, evergreen tree with a thin, open crown; it can grow to about 6.5 metres tall[, , ]. The crooked bole is up to 30cm in diameter[].
The tree has a wide range of uses, being harvested from the wild for food, medicine and various commodities[]. It is also cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the tropics and subtropics as an agro-forestry tree and for soil stabilization. It has been tested in large scale trials in Yemen as a drought resistant tree that can be used as a windbreak against sandstorms[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

W. Asia - Arabian Peninsula, southern Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Habitat

A characteristic tree of secondary dry deciduous forest, desert thorn forest, ravine thorn forest, Zizyphus scrub, and desert dune scrub[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prosopis cineraria is a plant of arid and semi arid, lowland tropical and subtropical areas, where it is found at elevations from sea level to 600 metres[, , ]. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 200 - 800 mm[]. One estimation has said that the plant can tolerate up to 2,000mm of rain[]. In some areas of its natural distribution, the climate is characterised by extremes of temperature. The summers are very hot and winters can be severe with frost[]. The maximum shade temperature varies from about 40 - 46°c, the absolute minimum temperature from 9 - 16°c[]. Although young plants, and young growth on older plants, are sensitive to frost[], Mature plants can tolerate occasional, short-lived frosts down to -6°c[].
In its natural range, the plant grows on coarse sandy soils[]. It can however grow on a variety of soils. Good growth is obtained on deep sandy loam soil with adequate availability of moisture in lower layers. Shallow dry soils with hard layer beneath, which restricts root penetration, results in poor growth. In arid areas, the growth is better in dune lows than in sandy plains, which in turn offer better site than the dune tops. Good drainage is very essential and poorly drained soils are not suitable[]. It does not survive long on pure sandy soils. On saline soils also it quickly dies out, but it can grow on slightly alkaline soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8.5, tolerating 5.5 - 9.8[, ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Tolerant of hot, dry winds[].
The trees start flowering and fruiting at an early age[].
This species has a life expectancy of 200 years or more[].
Trees can be coppiced[].
The plant produces a taproot that is more than 3 metres long[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The pods are used as vegetable in the dried and green form[]. Rich in protein[].

The sweetish pulp surrounding the seeds can be eaten raw or cooked[]. It can be dried for later use[].

During India's Rajputana famine (1868 - 69), many lives were spared by using the sweetish bark as a food[303. It was ground into flour and made into cakes[].

Medicinal

The plant is reported to be astringent, demulcent, and pectoral[]. It is a folk remedy for various ailments[].

The flowers are pounded, mixed with sugar and eaten during pregnancy as a safeguard against miscarriage[, ].

The ashes of the plant are rubbed over the skin to remove hair[, ].

The bark is considered to be anthelmintic, refrigerant, and tonic[]. It is used for treating asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, leucoderma, leprosy, rheumatism, scorpion stings, muscle tremors, piles, and wandering of the mind[, ].

Smoke from the leaves is suggested for eye troubles[].

The seedpod is said to be astringent[, ].

Although recommended for scorpion sting and snakebite, the plant has not proved to be effective[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Owing to the deep root system, a mono-layered canopy and the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, the tree is compatible with agri-horticultural crops. It boosts the growth and productivity of other plants growing nearby. In addition, it does not compete for moisture with crop plants, which can, therefore, be grown close to its trunk[, ].
The trees are planted to stabilize and reforest sand dunes[, , ]. They can withstand periodic burial by the sand[].
It increases fertility under its canopy[].

Other Uses

The tree yields a pale to amber coloured gum with properties similar to the gum acacias (Acacia senegal)[].

The bark and leaf galls are used for tanning[].

Containing 31% soluble potassium salts, the wood ash may serve as a potash source[].

The wood is used for making boat frames, houses, posts, and tool handles; the poor form of unimproved trees limits its use as timber[].
In the Punjab, its rather scanty, purplish brown heartwood is preferred to other kinds for firewood[]. It is an excellent fuel, also giving high-quality charcoal (5,000 kcal/kg)[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates best if the hard seed coat is softened first to allow the ingress of water. This can be done by adding a small amount of almost boiling water to the seed (which should cool down quickly enough so that it does not cook the seed!). Then soak the seed for 12 - 24 hours prior to sowing. Alternatively, carefully abrade an area of the seed coat, being careful not to damage the embryo.
The seeds retain their viability for at least one year[]. The seed retains its viability for decades[].
The tree reproduces freely by root suckers[].

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