Trees Around Las Vegas, Vegetation Around Las Vegas
 Screwbean Mesquite on the landscape |
General: Screwbean Mesquite (Strombocarpa pubescens) are medium-sized, spindly, many branched, thorny trees with many straight, stout spines along the stems. They produce bean pods that are tightly twisted (like a screw) and grow in clumps. The young stems, leaves, and fruits are covered with tiny hairs. Screwbean Mesquite are found in washes and other wet areas in the Lower Sonoran (Creosote-Bursage Flats) and Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zones. Mesquite often are parasitized by Mesquite Mistletoe, which appears as clumps of stems with white or red berries. Phainopepla depend on these berries for food, but they are toxic to humans. Family: The genus Prosopis (Mesquites) has been broken up into six genera based on molecular and morphological evidence, and all six genera are distinguishable by fruit and spine characters. Prosopis is now restricted to the old-world, and Neltuma and Strombocarpa represent new-world species. |
 The leaves of Screwbean Mesquite are hairy |
Other Names: Formerly Prosopis pubescens. Plant Form: Medium-sized, spindly, many branching tree. Height: Usually 10-15 ft. Trunk: Thick with rough bark. Leaves: Compound leaves with small leaflets, typical of members of the pea family. The leaves are covered with tiny hairs. Flowers: Bottlebrush-shaped catkins on a stalk (spikes). Individual flowers are small, creamy or pale yellow, and tubular. Blooms during spring. |
 The seedpods of Screwbean Mesquite are hairy |
Seeds: Small seeds produced in bean pods that are tightly twisted (like a screw). Individuals pods are clumped together. The seedpods are covered with tiny hairs. Distribution: Southern California deserts, southern Nevada, and river drainages in Arizona that connect with the Colorado River. Patchily distributed across Arizona and New Mexico, then throughout the Rio Grande River system. Elevation: Comments: These plants indicate the presence of water, but their roots can penetrate 70-80 feet to reach it, so it probably isn't worth digging to find water. Note that a non-native species, Argentine Screwbean Mesquite, often is used in ornamental landscaping. |
Screwbean Mesquite tree during summer |
 Screwbean Mesquite tree during summer |
 Screwbean Mesquite tree during winter |
 Screwbean Mesquite tree during winter |
 Screwbean Mesquite tree during winter |
 Screwbean Mesquite tree during winter |
 Older Screwbean Mesquite tree with shaggy bark |
 Older Screwbean Mesquite tree with shaggy bark |
 Screwbean Mesquite tend to have paired, very sharp thorns |
 Screwbean Mesquite don't always have paired thorns |
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 Screwbean Mesquite tend to have paired, very sharp thorns |
 Screwbean Mesquite tend to have paired, very sharp thorns |
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The leaves of Screwbean Mesquite are hairy |
 The leaves of Screwbean Mesquite are hairy |
 Screwbean Mesquite with developing flower buds |
 Screwbean Mesquite developing flower buds |
 Screwbean Mesquite with developing flower buds |
 Developing flower buds |
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 Screwbean Mesquite flowers |
 Screwbean Mesquite flowers |
 Screwbean Mesquite flowers |
 Screwbean Mesquite with developing seedpods |
 Screwbean Mesquite with developing seedpods |
 Developing Screwbean Mesquite seedpods |
 Developing Screwbean Mesquite seedpods (note tiny hairs) |
 Developing Screwbean Mesquite seedpods (note tiny hairs) |
 Screwbean Mesquite ripe seedpods during winter |
 Screwbean Mesquite ripe seedpods during winter |
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 The seedpods of Screwbean Mesquite are hairy |
The seedpods of Screwbean Mesquite are hairy |
 Screwbean Mesquite with fresh mistletoe infestation |
 Screwbean Mesquite with fresh mistletoe infestation |
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Names generally follow the USDA database.
; Last updated 231203
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