Mesquite
Prosopis juliflora
Observed near Lake Baringo, Rift Valley, Kenya. October 2016.
FLOWERS: Spikes of numerous, pale yellow flowers.
TREE: Small to large tree, with broad hemispherical crown. Bark on older trunks is dark gray-brown, scaly.
LEAVES: Leaves are twice compound with
four or six sets of 12± pairs of leaflets.
RANGE: This tree, an introduction from tropical America, has spread
abundantly in semi-arid or seasonally dry habitats at lower elevations. More than one
species of mesquite or perhaps hybrids may be included in the widespread growth of this invasive plant.
FRUIT: The bean pods are 15 to 25 cm long becoming pale brown at
maturity.
ARMED. The strong spines are straight and variable in length.