Ghaf Tree
الغاف · Prosopis cineraria
A native evergreen desert tree that handles extreme drought. It grows in the Eastern Province and is planted in Riyadh for greening.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | الغاف |
|---|---|
| English name | Ghaf Tree |
| Scientific name | Prosopis cineraria |
| Family | Pea family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen desert tree |
| Height | 5 to 10 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
October to February
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 tree with a wide drooping crown, thorny branches, small grey-green feathery leaves, yellow flower spikes and long pods.
Where it grows
Grows in sands and plains of the Eastern Province and is used in city greening.
Soil
Sandy soil. It handles salt and poor soil.
Water and irrigation
Needs very little water once established because its roots go very deep.
Climate and light
Handles extreme heat and full sun.
Propagation
By seed after soaking in hot water.
Benefits and uses
- Holds sand and fights desertification
- Year-round shade in the desert
- Leaves and pods feed camels and livestock
- Improves soil fertility
Drawbacks
- Grows slowly at first
- Thorny branches
- Needs protection from grazing when young
Important notes
Do not confuse it with the invasive mesquite (American Prosopis).
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Prosopis cineraria
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Prosopis cineraria
- Wikipedia: Prosopis cineraria
- 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)