Trees, rarely multi-stemmed shrubs, 1–10(–15) m. Trunks: short, bark tan to gray-brown, flakey. Branches slightly flex­uous distally. Stems: new growth short-puberulous. Leaves: stipules modified paired spines, tan to light brown, 1–2 cm, hirsute; petiole/rachis 0.6–6 cm, pubescent; pinnae 2–4(–6); leaflets 24–60, opposite, 3–4 mm apart, blades oblong, 4–13 × 2–4 mm, base rounded, margins ciliate, nervate abaxially, apex rounded, surfaces pubescent. Peduncles 0.5–0.8 cm, densely villous. Inflorescences amentlike spikes, 5–15 cm. Flowers: sepals 1 mm, sparsely pubes­cent; petals connate proximally, yellow-green, 2.5–3 mm, tips villous adaxially; stamens yellow; filaments 3.5–4.5 mm, minutely pubescent; anthers 0.7–0.9 mm; ovary stipitate, 2 mm, villous; style 2.5 mm, glabrous. Loments yellow, linear, straight, 10–20 × 0.6–1 cm, pubescent. Seeds dark brown, ovoid, 5–6 mm. 2n = 56.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Oct.
Habitat: Creosote deserts, washes, river bottoms, dry flats, canyons, sandy soils.
Elevation: 150–1700 m.

Distribution

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Ariz., Calif., N.Mex., Mexico, introduced in Australia.

Discussion

Prosopis velutina is introduced in California, where it is known from the Central Coast area and San Joaquin Valley southward.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.