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Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina)

DSCN0073.JPG Christmas Cholla (<i>Opuntia leptocaulis</i>)ThumbnailsMahonia (<i>Berberis haematocarpa</i>)

Common names: Mesquite

Scientific name: Prosopis velutina

Description: A common desert tree with catkin-like clusters of greenish-yellow flowers from April to June. The flowers are followed by long sweet-smelling bean pods.

Dye: Black from the sap.

Weaving: The shredded inner bark woven into baskets.

Other uses: Food such as 'pinole' meal-cakes and tea.