Common Name: Espinillo

General Information

Prosopis rubriflora is a spiny, deciduous tree with a sparse, flattened, low crown and branches that bend down almost to the ground. It can grown 4 - 6 metres tall. The short, cylindrical bole can be 20 - 40cm in diameter with a thick, corky bark[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. An ornamental plant, it can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeastern Paraguay to central Brazil.

Habitat

Savannah woodland, in areas subject to periodic inundation, growing in chalky, clayey soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Grows best in a fertile soil[]. Plants are found in the wild in chalky clay soils[]. Tolerant of salty soils[]. Plants grow in areas subject to seasonal inundation[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[].
Plants can flower and produce seed all year round[].
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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is medium textured, straight-grained, heavy, hard, with very good mechanical properties and moderately durable. Because of its small dimensions, the wood is only used for light cabinet making, lathe work and agricultural implements[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of less than 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 28 days[].
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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