Neltuma juliflora

Common Names

Algarrobo, Cují, Cují Negro, Trupillo, Aromo, Mezquite, Mesquite, Mancacaballo, Chepesi, Anchipia, Guaira, Unknown Algarobia, Algarrobo Negro, Calden Tree, Cashaw, Mazquit, Napique

Summary

Native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of northern South America, this shrub or small tree grows about 3–12 m tall and is characterized by dense, spiny branches. It has bipinnate leaves with small deep green leaflets arranged in 6–20 pairs, and long pods hanging in groups. Flowers are small on green-yellow cylindrical spikes, and a deep taproot supports drought tolerance in seasonally dry tropical biomes.

Propagation from seed or cuttings is common; it prefers full sun and well-drained soil and tolerates drought and salt, thriving on poor soils. Widely used for fuelwood, timber, posts, and fodder, with edible pods that can be ground into flour for flatbread in some contexts; environmental uses include soil conservation and dune stabilization. In some regions, it is invasive, forming dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation, requiring control measures.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

9 ft 10 in – 39 ft 4 in

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

No single ideal soil; broad range tolerant, including deep, well-drained soils and moist, sandy, rocky, poor and saline soils; salt-tolerant.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

pH 9-11, acidic soils not suitable

Bloom Color

Cream-colored, golden-yellow, green-yellow, greenish-yellow, greenish-white (turning light yellow), white or pink, yellowish

Bloom Time

Year-round (continuous flowering)

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Air layering, Grafting

Attracts Wildlife

Bees and other pollinators