
Prosopis velutina, velvet mesquite is supposedly the most popular mesquite within landscapes, such as the landscape in Surprise in Arizona in which I encountered this mesquite. This particular specimen conforms to the description of the species. However, both Prosopis glandulosa, honey mesquite, and Prosopis pubescens, screwbean mesquite, are also somewhat popular within landscapes, and, except for the distinctly twisted beans of screwbean mesquite, both are visually similar to velvet mesquite. All three species are native to the region of Surprise. Because beans that I collected from below this particular specimen were merely somewhat warped, rather than distinctly twisted, I doubt that this specimen is a screwbean mesquite. Also, because the leaflets are relatively short with relatively rounded tips, I doubt that this specimen is a honey mesquite. Therefore, I suspect that this really is velvet mesquite. Although I would prefer to grow honey mesquite, I would be quite pleased to alternatively grow velvet mesquite, or realistically, any mesquite that is useful for smoking. I do not smoke enough vegetables or meats to be so discriminating about the sources of the smoke involved. Besides, if I were so discriminating, I could purchase honey mesquite seed online. For now, I will grow the seed that I collected from below this particular mesquite tree, regardless of its species. The handful of beans that I collected must contain several seed. I have no idea of how many of them will be viable, but will find out. Some of the beans have small holes in them from larval insects who undoubtedly ate some or all of the seed within, but I collected them regardless, merely because they were available. Because the seed are difficult to separate from their beans, I may not bother. I suspect that they will germinate and grow through their bean pods as the pods decay under a shallow layer of medium. Scarification of seed supposedly accelerates germination, but there is no rush. I do not even know where to plant any seedlings that might eventually grow. Although no mesquite are native here, velvet locust, as well as the other two species that this could possibly be, are surprisingly native to nearby counties. Because they are also native to harsh desert climates, I suspect that they prefer the drier and warmer of local climates. I therefore intend to grow them in exposed ridgetop areas with well drained and perhaps somewhat sandy soil.
After all that fuss
There are not many things that will grow in my zone that I will not at least try to grow if I have the space and resources to do so. I really like to grow fruits and vegetables, particularly those that I am familiar with from when I was young. They are just as productive now as they were then. The only problem is that I do not know how to cook. I can freeze, can or pickle large quantities of produce, but cooking is something that I leave to experts.