Mesquite
Mesquite, any of several species of thorny trees and shrubs. Mesquites grow from the southwestern United States to Argentina and Chile. Along rivers, mesquites may grow to a height of 60 feet (18 m). In dry areas, mesquites may grow to only three feet (90 cm), but have roots 50 feet (15 m) long. Mesquites have feathery leaves that are 3 to 8 inches (7.5 to 20 cm) long.
Mesquites have small, yellow flowers. The flowers contain nectar that bees use to make honey. The fruit is a sweet pod commonly eaten by cattle. Mesquite wood is used for fuel and to make fence posts and furniture; mesquite smoke is used to flavor food. Mesquites yield gums used in making candies and dyes.
Mesquites belong to the family Leguminosae. Three species are native to the United States: the honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa; the screwbean mesquite, P. pubescens; and the velvet mesquite, P. velutina.