Mesquite • Prosopis juliflora
Trees & Shrubs
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma; allergic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms.
Physical description: Grows as a small shrub (about 2-3 feet tall) in shallow soil or as tall as 50 feet in deep soil; may have one or multiple trunks; leaves are bipinnate leaflets of a light green to blue hue; bark is reddish to dark brown; thorns are present on branches or trunk; clusters of yellowish blooms commonly attract bees; presents beans in pods that are about 4-9 inches long.
Environmental factors: Found in warm climates, alongside desert washes and streams, hillsides, and plains; moderate allergen; often used as an ornamental shade tree; pollen may be produced in large quantities; pollination is by both insects and wind; easily dispersed and far-traveling.
Cross-reactivity: Members of the legume family, specifically lima bean.
Included species: Honey mesquite, screwbean mesquite, velvet mesquite, creeping mesquite.
References
- “Mesquite.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesquite
- “Mesquite Trees for the Urban Landscape.” ARIDUS, Volume 19, number 2. https://cals.arizona.edu/desertlegumeprogram/pdf/aridus19-2.pdf
- “12 Really Amazing Facts About Mesquite Trees.” Buzzle. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-mesquite-trees.html
- “Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora).” PollenLibrary.com. http://www.pollenlibrary.com/Specie/Prosopis+juliflora/
Did You Know?
Once dry, mesquite bean pods are edible and can be ground into flour and made into bread.
