Common Name: Algarrobo Negro

General Information

Prosopis nigra is a small, spiny evergreen tree with a round-topped crown growing 4 - 10 metres tall with occasional specimens to 16 metres. The bole can be 50 - 80cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible seedpods, which are consumed locally. It is also used medicinally and is exploited widely for its excellent quality timber and as a source of tannins and dyestuff.
The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(1998)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Bolivia.

Habitat

Found on riversides, usually on alkaline soils[]. Lowland dry forest types[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate to higher elevations in the tropics and subtropics.
Requires a sunny position[]. Found in the wild on alkaline and clay soils[]. Prefers deep clay soils with underground water at the root level[, ]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
A slow-growing plant, even when small[].
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 fleshy seedpods have a sweet flavour[]. The sweet-tasting pulp surrounding the seeds is edible[]. The pods, which are yellow tinged with violet when ripe, are 10 - 16cm long and 7 - 9mm wide[].
The fruits are dried and ground into a powder for use as a flour. The sweet flesh is used to make juice; and the roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute[, ].

The fruits are sometimes used for manufacturing an alcoholic beverage[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the seedpods is used as a wash to treat eye complaints[].

The seedpods (in the form of food?) are recommended in the treatment of venereal diseases[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is grown to provide shade[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[, ].

A gum-resin obtained from the trunk is used to make various dark-coloured dyes[].

The dark brown wood is coarse-textured, irregular to spiral-grained, heavy, compact, resistant, durable[, ]. A very important and valuable timber tree, it is much used for general carpentry, furniture and barrels[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[]. An excellent fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of greater than 70% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 7 - 15 days[].
The seeds germinate easily if they have been scarified by passing through an animal's digestive tract[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

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