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Yanbut (Syrian Mesquite)
الينبوت · Prosopis farcta
A small spiny native shrub that spreads by deep roots in farms and valleys. It is a troublesome weed.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | الينبوت |
|---|---|
| English name | Yanbut (Syrian Mesquite) |
| Scientific name | Prosopis farcta |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Small spiny shrub |
| Height | 30 to 100 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Not usually planted
Not harvested
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A shrub with feathery compound leaves, small thorns, yellow-green flower spikes and thick, curled brown pods.
Where it grows
Common on farm land and valleys in Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Hail, the Eastern Province, the north, Al-Jouf, Tabuk and Madinah.
Soil
Handles salt and poor soil.
Water and irrigation
Very deep roots reach groundwater.
Climate and light
Handles heat.
Propagation
From roots and seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Holds the soil
Drawbacks
- A troublesome weed that is hard to remove from farms
- Spiny
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Prosopis farcta
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Prosopis farcta
- Wikipedia: Prosopis farcta
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)