Title: Biology and impacts of Pacific island invasive species. 6. Prosopis pallida and Prosopis juliflora (Algarroba, Mesquite, Kiawe) (Fabaceae)
Abstract: Prosopis pallida and P. juliflora
(commonly referred to as algarroba, mesquite, or kiawe) were introduced
from South America to areas in Oceania, Asia, and Africa during the early
nineteenth century. In many cases, they naturalized and became widespread. In
some places, alien Prosopis species are highly valued for the products
and services that they can provide such as shade, cattle fodder, wood for fuel
and fence posts, and nectar for honey production. In Australia, four
Prosopis species including P. pallida, P. juliflora, P. glandulosa, P.
velutina, and their hybrids are considered invasive and are subject to
control efforts. After its introduction to Hawai'i in 1828, P. pallida
became a dominant tree in arid areas of the main Hawaiian Islands, replacing the
native lowland dry forest species that had been decimated by human activity,
particularly by the introductions of goats and cattle. Prosopis pallida
also has become an important economic species in Hawai'i. Prosopis
juliflora, a more recent introduction to Hawai'i, is now spreading and is
considered to be a noxious weed. Competition between Prosopis and native
species as well as negative impacts of Prosopis on soil and local
hydrology have been reported; however in some cases Prosopis species are
characterized as midsuccessional species that rehabilitate degraded soils,
eventually facilitating later-successional woodland. This provides a potential
opportunity to use these species in reforestation efforts. Management decisions
regarding these species should include a consideration of both their positive
and negative ecological roles. If control or eradication is desired, a number of
methods have been employed with various degrees of success. [Timothy Gallaher
& Mark Merlin (2010). Biology and impacts of Pacific island invasive
species. 6. Prosopis pallida and Prosopis juliflora (Algarroba, Mesquite, Kiawe)
(Fabaceae). Pacific Science, 64(4),489-526. doi:
10.2984/64.4.489]