BIG BERRY MANZANITA: SCREWBEAN MESQUITE:

FAMILY: Fabaceae
FAMILY:
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
NATIVE TO:
NATIVE TO: The screwbean mesquite is a small tree or shrub
Foothills under 4500 ft from central CA to Baja. Locally
native to southern California. It sets itself apart from
in Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mtns; in rocky soils in its traditional mesquite cousin with its attractive,
chaparral and lower elevation woodlands. corkscrew-shaped bean pods that appear in the
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS: summer.
large woody shrub/tree mature height: 8-12+ ft. mature GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS:
width: 8-12 ft. Evergreen shrub with mounded habit. Screwbean mesquite (Prosopis pubescens) is a deciduous shrub or small tree
Bark red-brown, peeling in age. Leaves blue-green to found in arid regions. It's known for its contorted branches, feathery compound
gray- green, simple, rounded, leathery. Leaves usually leaves, and distinctive screw-shaped seed pods. Adapted to drought, it has deep
upright on branches. May be trained up to a multi- roots and provides food and shelter for wildlife. It also has economic and cultural
trunk tree lovely, open architectural-looking form. significance for indigenous communities.
Inhibits growth of plants underneath it.
BLOOMS/FRUITS:
BLOOMS/FRUITS:
Blooms in winter/early spring (Dec-Mar). Flowers are typical for Manzanita: small, Screwbean mesquite (Prosopis pubescens) produces small, inconspicuous
urn-shaped flowers, pink-white in color, in dense clusters. Flowers tract wide range yellowish flowers in clusters, usually in spring. Its most distinctive character-
of pollinators: hummingbirds, butterflies, bees. istic is its coiled, screw-shaped seed pods, which can be up to 10 inches long
and mature in late summer. These pods are edible and serve as a valuable
USEES IN GARDEN: food source for various wildlife species.
Excellent choice for slopes, natural areas. Makes a lovely multi-trunked tree if
USEES IN GARDEN:
pruned up. Interesting bark, leaves and flowers make this a favored specimen It has several practical uses. Its edible seed pods provide a food source for wildlife
plant. Does best away from the coast in hotter gardens. Fruits are edible make a and can be consumed by humans. The wood can be used for fuel and crafting, and
cider-like drink or use in jellies. Cultivar 'Los Angeles is from L.A. County foothills. the plant's ability to fix nitrogen enriches the soil. It also holds cultural significance
for indigenous communities.
REQUIREMENTS:
Sun- Full sun to light shade. REQUIREMENTS:
Soil- Rocky or sandy soil best; any local pH - alkali soils It requires well-drained, sandy or loamy soil and
fine. - full sunlight. The plant is highly drought-tolerant
Water- Regular water (Zone 2-3) first year, then little to and can withstand hot, dry conditions. It benefits -
none (Zone 1 or 1-2) from minimal competition with other vegetation,
Fertilizer-Organic mulches recommended
allowing it to establish and grow successfully in
such harsh environments
NAME : MADHAVAN. S , SUGANEETHAN.N
SHEET NO: DATA COLLECTION OF PLANT SPECIES REG NO : 20AR036, 20AR072

2
SEMESTER : 7th
TREES SUBJECT CODE : 15AR820
ASSIGNMENT 5 SUBJECT : LANDSCAPE DESIGN
COLLEGE : DEPT OF ARCHTECTURE, TCE, MADURAI