Prosopis tamarugo
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Prosopis tamarugo | ||||||||||||||
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Prosopis tamarugo Philippi |
Tamarugo (Prosopis tamarugo) is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family. It is found only in northern Chile, particularly in the "Pampa del Tamarugal", some 70 km. east of the city of Iquique. The bushy tree apparently grows without the benefit of rainfall, and obtains some water from dew. Scattered stands of the trees have been cut down for fuelwood. The trees grow on saline soils that do not allow for other trees. The species is a valuable source of charcoal and lumber and the leaves and fruits are also food for goats.
[edit] References
- González, M. 1998. Prosopis tamarugo. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 19 July 2007.