By: Ciara Washington Introduction: We are going to learn about three types of Mesquite trees: the Honey Mesquite, Screwbean Mesquite, and the Velvet Mesquite! They are some of the most common shrubs/trees in the Sonoran Desert, and have many beneficial properties. Did you know we can be used as medicine, and made into yummy snacks? Get ready for some interesting facts! WHO AM I? There are three different types of us: Honey, Screwbean, and Velvet. Our seeds provide 75% of a coyotes diet in the late Summer. We are an important addition to the Sonoran Desert's ecosystem.  WHERE DO I LIVE? We grow in many areas, from Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. We can be found in the Mohave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts, but not the Great Basin due to low temperatures. We like to grow near water, and lower elevation, but some consider us a pest since we grow so easliy. WHAT DO I EAT? Like any other tree, we need water to survive. Us mesquites have a massive root system that is very useful in the dry desert because it can grow 50 feet downwards to reach water. Our tap root is very large and reaches the furthest water, while our second root system spreads out to catch the surface water.  HOW DO I LOOK? Depending on the area, we can range from a few feet to 30 feet tall. Our bark is green when we are young and turns brown when we age. We grow skinny green branches that protrude and are covered in small thorns. Our leaves are green, and have two rows of small leaves opposite from each other. When the season is right, we grow small yellow flowers. The fruit we produce looks different for each of us. The velvet has a slender brown pod, Honey has a yellow-green pod, and the Screwbean has the most unique fruit, with a brown-yellow pod that is spiraled. HOW DO I REPRODUCE? In Spring, we produce yellow fragrant flowers that attract insects, especially bees for pollination. Our seeds also help reproduction because of their protective coating and how abundant they are. Animals help to spread the seeds because we offer as a food source to many.  FUN FACT ABOUT ME? We can be used for many medical problems such as ulcers, sore throats, pink eye, etc. We can also be used as a food source, for bread, cookies, jelly, and wine by grinding up our fruits. We are also known as "nurse trees" because we provide an area for cacti, insects and mammals to live. The shade underneath our trees is about 15 degrees cooler than the surrounding desert. Besides the ironwood tree, we are best to use for firewood! Lets get ready for some fun! Kindergartners: Draw a picture of what you think I look like, and tell your teacher/parent three interesting things about me! First and Second graders: Draw a picture of me, and write three sentences about the interesting things you learned. Third Grade- Find/draw a cool picture of me! Write a short story about me, and include three facts. YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ME BELOW: Blue Planet Biomes- Dedicated to the world's biomes. Sonoran Desert Naturalist- Includes information all about the deserts of Arizona. Desert USA- Contains information on all three mesquite trees. Desert Museum- This is the Arizona Desert Museum website and it talks about the flowering plants of the Sonoran Desert. |