PROSOPIS NIGRA

:''For other tree species with similar names, see ''Algarrobo''.''
'''Prosopis nigra''' (synonym ''Prosopis algarrobilla'') is a South American leguminous tree species that inhabits the Gran Chaco ecoregion (in particular, the transition zone between the Wet Chaco and the Southern Chaco), in Argentina and Paraguay. It is known as '''algarrobo negro''' in Spanish, which means "black carob tree" (the Spanish settlers gave it that name, as they did with many other species of genus ''Prosopis'', because of its similarity to the European carob tree). It is also variously called ''algarrobo dulce'', ''algarrobo morado'' and ''algarrobo amarillo'' ("sweet", "purple" and "yellow" carob tree, respectively).
The tree blossoms in September and October, and gives fruit from November to March. It grows together with the ''vinalillo'' tree (''Prosopis vinalillo'') and under the tops of the palm tree ''Copernicia alba''. Like the other species of this genus, it tolerates arid climate, but can also survive in flooded ground for a long time. The heartwood is dark brown and very heavy, considered noble by local carpenters, also weather resistant, it presents streaks.

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Usage

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Usage

Algarrobo negro wood is fairly used for making furniture and barrels. High in tannin, it has (since colonial era) and is been used for leather tanning. The fruit is dehiscent pod, called "algaroba", with a sweet starchy paste inside, which is milled to make flour, and for alcoholic beverages after fermentation.

Sources

★ Commercial timbers: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval - H. G. Richter and M. J. Dallwitz

★ Catálogo Web de especies forestales - Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Asunción (in Spanish)

References

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