Kpdhage at 09:18, 20 September 2009

2009-09-20T09:18:11Z

Envoy at 04:46, 27 April 2007

2007-04-27T04:46:14Z

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{{Cleanup|date=November 2006}}{{ToLCleanup}}
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Prosopis pubescens''
| image = Prosopis_pubescens_beans.jpg
| image_caption = Mature fruit (beans or legumes) of ''[[Screwbean Mesquite|Prosopis pubescens]]''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Mimosoideae]]
| tribus = [[Mimoseae]]
| genus = ''[[Prosopis]]''
| species = ''P. pubescens''
| binomial = ''Prosopis pubescens''
}}

'''''Prosopis pubescens''''' ('''Screwbean Mesquite'''), is a small [[tree]] or [[shrub]] found in the southwestern United States ([[Texas]], [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]], [[California]]) and [[Mexico]]. It has light brown bark, usually short, straight spines (1-3 cm), twice-compound leaves, and numerous, small, yellowish flowers appearing in elongate spikes. It is found along streams and valleys in deserts particularly in damp or saline soil, and grows to about 7 meters (20 ft). The tree is also called "Tornillo" or simply "Screwbean". The name arises because the tightly twisted legumes very much resemble a turned screw. This morphology may have been an evolutionary defense agains seed predators such as bruchid beetles (bean weevils). 
 
[[Image:Prosopis pubescens inflorescence 2003-06-02.jpg|LEFT|200px|]]
 
Inflorescence of ''Prosopis pubescens'' 
Like those of other mesquites, screwbean has nutritious pods that can be eaten. Mesquite meal is a traditional Native American food. Used as a staple food for centuries by desert dwellers, this high protein meal contains good quantities of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc, and is rich in the amino acid lysine as well. Mesquite is high in fiber, moderate in sugar, and eight percent protein. It has a sweet, rich, molasses-like flavor with a hint of caramel which blends well into smoothies or other drinks, especially those made with cacao and maca. 

Approximate Nutritional Value of Mesquite Pod Meal
Amt/100g
Protein 16 g
Fat 3.4 g
Calories 380
Fiber 36 g

Minerals:
Barium 3.7 mg
Boron 3.2 mg
Calcium 520 mg
Chromium 0.12 mg
Cobalt 0.03 mg
Copper 0.8 mg
Iron 18 mg
Magnesium 140 mg
Manganese 2.3 mg
Molybdenum 0.05 mg
Phosphorus 215 mg
Potassium 1712 mg
Sodium 12 mg
Sulfur 222 mg
Zinc 3.0 mg

==External links==
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=prpu_001_ahp.jpg Photo: NRCS: USDA Plants Profile], Photo #2: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=prpu_002_ahp.tif], Range: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PRPU], AZ: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Arizona&statefips=04&symbol=PRPU], NM: [http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=New%20Mexico&statefips=35&symbol=PRPU]

==References==
* National Audubon Society, Field Guide to Trees, Western Region, North America, 1980, pg. 501.

[[Category:Mimosoideae]]
[[Category:Trees of Arizona]]
[[Category:Flora of Arizona]]
[[Category:Flora of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Flora of the Colorado Desert]]
[[Category:Flora of the Lower Colorado River Valley]]
[[Category:Flora of Southwestern United States]]

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← Older revision		Revision as of 09:18, 20 September 2009
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		+	{{Inc\|
		+	Prosopis pubescens, Benth. (Strombocarpa pubescens, Gray). Screw Bean. Tornillo. Shrub or small tree, merely spinescent on petioles: lfts. 5-8 pairs, oblong, 1/4-1/3in.long: spikes globose to cylindrical, 1 1/2-2 in. long: pod twisted, nearly sessile, 1-2 in. long. Texas, Calif., Mex. —The pods are used as food by Mexicans and Indians.
		+	}}
		+
	{{Cleanup\|date=November 2006}}{{ToLCleanup}}		{{Cleanup\|date=November 2006}}{{ToLCleanup}}
	{{Taxobox		{{Taxobox

Prosopis pubescens - Revision history

Kpdhage at 09:18, 20 September 2009

Envoy at 04:46, 27 April 2007