Neltuma flexuosa

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Neltuma flexuosa, commonly known as tortuous mesquite, algarrobo dulce, or algarrobo negro, is a drought-tolerant flowering tree in the bean family. It grows in arid and semi-arid parts of Argentina, Chile, and possibly Bolivia, especially in the Gran Chaco and Monte Desert. It used to be called Prosopis flexuosa.

Description:
- It can become a medium-sized tree up to about 10 meters tall, with a short trunk and long, often horizontal branches. There are also shrubby forms up to 5 meters.
- Leaves are pinnate with many small leaflets and usually have a pair (often one) of strong thorns at each leaf base.
- Flowers are yellowish, in dense clusters (racemes) 6–14 cm long, with around 200 flowers.
- After flowering, it produces long yellow pods with purplish blotches that contain seeds. The seeds are usually sweet, though taste can vary with soil.

Habitat and range:
- It lives from sea level to about 2,200 meters and receives 50–500 mm of rain per year.
- It’s found in western Argentina, northern Chile, and possibly southern Bolivia, in lowland dry forests and gallery forests.
- It is extremely drought-tolerant and one of the hardiest species in its group, and it can be grown in other dry regions.

Ecology and uses:
- Bees are attracted to its flowers for pollen and nectar.
- The wood is dense and hard, used for fencing, vineyard posts, joinery, charcoal, and firewood.
- The fruits are nutritious and eaten by people and livestock.
- The tree is valued by beekeepers for honey.
- There are regional differences in seed form between northern and southern populations.

Seasonal notes:
- The rainy season usually starts in November, with new leaves emerging in spring. In mild winters, leaves may stay on the tree year-round.