Mesquite

Family: Mimosaceae
Scientific name: Prosopis species
Description: Plant Form: Shrub to small tree. Size: 3-15 m tall. Stem: Single in tree form or multiple in shrub form. Characteristic zig-zag shape with smooth dark reddish-green bark when young becoming grey and rough with age. A pair of spines normally arise above leaf stalks. Leaves: Twice-divided fern-like with 1-4 pairs of leaflets each with 7-21 secondary leaflet pairs. Often with 1-2 thorns at base of leaf. Flowers: Greenish cream-yellow flowers in cylindrical flowerhead 5-8 cm long. Fruit and Seeds: Smooth pods which are green when young turning straw-coloured or purplish with age. Up to 20 cm long, with slight constrictions between each of 5-20 seeds within. Habitat: Rangelands, shrublands. Distinguishing Features: Differs from Acacias (Acacia species) and Prickly acacias (Vachellia species) by having a cylindrical rather than globular flowerhead. Weed Status: Priority Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural, Common, Invasive Garden Escapee Lifeform: Shrubby, Woody/tree

Example images for this weed

National and state/territory profiles for this weed

Weeds Australia
NSW WeedWise (NSW)
DEECA (VIC)
! Should be reported
QDAF (QLD)
! Should be reported
PIRSA (SA)
! Should be reported
DPIRD (WA)
DNRE (TAS)
! Should be reported
DEPWS (NT)
! Should be reported