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Screwbean Mesquite, Tornillo, Screw-bean mesquite
Prosopis pubescens
Qualifies for Tree Enhancement Program
Climate Resiliency
5 out of 5 stars
Southwestern native. Mojave Desert native. Open, spreading, irregular habit. Usually multi-trunked. Branches have white thorns of up to 3/4 of an inch long, usually in pairs. Trunk and branches have a twisting, architectural appearance. Shaggy, sheading bark. 1 to 2 inch long leaves with short, rounded, wide-spaced green to blue-green leaflets. Yellow catkin flowers. Tightly spiraled seed pods. Flowers attract bees. Seeds are a food source for birds. Pods and seeds are edible. Moderate litter. Can be cleaned up or left to feed wildlife and enrich the soil. Extra water speeds up growth. Can blow over in strong winds if it has a poor root structure. Poor root structure usually caused by shallow watering, watering only at the tree's base, or girdling roots. Prune in early spring or late fall for shape. Member of the Legume family.
- Plant type: Perennial, Tree, Native
- Maintenance level: Medium
- Water requirement: Low
- Sun exposure: Full, Part Sun, Morning Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
- Height range: 20–30 Feet
- Width range: 20–30 Feet
- Canopy value: 368 ft²
- Growth rate: Medium
- Seasonal habit: Deciduous, Semi-Deciduous
- Flower color: Yellow
- Flower season: Spring, Summer
- Fruit color: Brown
- Fruit season: Summer, Autumn
- General foliage color: Green, Blue
- Design style: Thorns/Spines
- Hardiness cold tolerance: 10-15 °F
- Soil preference: Sand, Clay, Rocky, Well Drained, Dry
- Native location: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Northern Mexico
- PH preference: Not Particular
- Sunset zones: 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
- USDA hardiness zone: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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