Wildflowers for Wednesday: Prosopis velutina

In the back yard there is a young Mesquite tree (Prosopis velutina).  It sprouted as a volunteer a couple of years ago.  It is in a very good spot for a tree; and though I water it reprehensibly seldom, it has grown tall enough to be just visible from the house.

 

This year is the first time I have seen it bloom.  Of course, one has to walk right up to it to see the flowers.  The inflorescences are large, but their soft yellow-green colors keep them hidden among the leaves.

The spineless Opuntia I had planted beside it did not survive last summer, which says much for the hardiness of the Mesquite.  I am trying to keep an eye on it, as it will be so nice to have a tree in an otherwise entirely bare part of the property.  Hopefully, with proper care it will grow into a canopy of shade.

 

The one difficulty with mesquite is that it is rather thorny, like so many desert natives.  But it can make a handsome specimen tree despite its thorns and, for that matter, its proclivities for shrub-form in the wild.  I've already pruned it up a little bit, informing it that it is now a civilized mesquite tree, instead of a wild bush.  With the bloom this spring, it seems to have started on its way to being a real tree...

Weather Diary: Fair; High: 80 F (27 C)/Low: 57 F (14 C); Humidity: 4%-34%

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Comments: 4
  • #1

    Kris P (Wednesday, 18 April 2018 21:05)

    It's a pretty thing, Amy, and I've great respect for any plant that can manage with minimal supplemental water.

  • #2

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Thursday, 19 April 2018 13:29)

    I totally agree, Kris! The Mesquites and Palo Verdes are the two 'trees' that really grow wild around here, down in the washes usually, so they get what little moisture there is. But they are tough plants for hot, dry conditions!

  • #3

    Jane (Saturday, 21 April 2018 01:32)

    It’s wonderful to have a strong hardy tree to fill a corner and not need too much attention. The catkins are quite pretty.

  • #4

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 24 April 2018 19:39)

    Jane - Yes, something that doesn't need much fussing even in the worst weather...! Thanks! :)