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It is the national tree of the United Arab Emirates, where it is known as Ghaf.
It is also the state tree of Rajasthan (where it is known as Khejri), Western Uttar Pradesh (where it is known as Chhonkara) and Telangana (where it is known as Jammi ) in India.
Kingdom:Plantae
Class:Magnoliophyta
Order:Fabales
Family:Fabaceae
Genus:Prosopis
Species:P. cineraria
It is an almost evergreen tree growing to 6.5 m in height. It has an open crown that becomes rounded under lopping. The bole is 2 m high, straight, up to 30 cm in diameter.
P. cineraria as a leguminous tree has importance in improving soil fertility through fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Litter fall production and decomposition rate are considered the highest comparing with other arid trees, and that build up soil organic matter contents under its canopy, increase soluble calcium and available phosphorus and decrease soil pH. Therefore, farmers tend to grow field crops under its canopy to boost the growth and productivity of their crops. It has ability to grow in semi-arid and arid marginal environments receiving low rain fall of 250-500 mm/annum and yet it produces profuse flowering and fruiting.
Prosopis cineraria grows better where average daily temperatures range from 4°C to 28°C. It is slightly frost hardy (-6°C) and tolerates daily temperatures up to 50°C. It naturally grows on coarse sandy soils but cannot survive a long time on pure sandy soils.
•The flowers are mixed with sugar and used to prevent miscarriage.
•The ashes are rubbed over the skin to remove hair.
•The bark is considered to be anthelmintic, refrigerant, and tonic.
•It is used for treating asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, leucoderma, leprosy, rheumatism, muscle tremors, piles, and wandering of the mind.
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