Prosopis pubescens
Leguminosae
Screwbean is found along river valleys and irrigation ditches in west Texas. It grows best where there is moisture, or where moisture might accumulate from a flash flood, although it can survive in the desert. It is a multi-trunked large shrub or tree, small and dainty, barely reaching 30 feet in height. It differs from mesquite (P. glandulosa) in that its spines and leaves are smaller, it has 5 to 8 pairs of leaflets instead of 10 or more, its twigs are gray and not red, and its bean is tightly coiled into a spiral (hence its common name) as opposed to mesquite's straight pod.
Plant Habit or Use: large shrub, small tree Exposure: sun Flower Color: yellowish
Blooming Period: spring summer Fruit Characteristics: tightly coiled, twisted bean
Height: to 30 ft. Width: to 35 ft. Plant Character: deciduous Heat Tolerance: very high
Soil Requirements: adaptable USDA Hardiness Zone: 7
