Jandi (Prosopis cineraria)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Prosopis cineraria is one of the most drought-tolerant tree species and thrives in hot, arid regions with an annual rainfall of less than 500 mm. it is is the national tree of the United Arab Emirates, where it is known as Ghaf. Through the Give a Ghaf campaign its citizens are urged to plant it in their gardens to combat desertification and to preserve their country's heritage.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rich in protein. — The pods are used as vegetable in the dried and green form.; During India's Rajputana famine (1868 - 69), many lives were spared by using the sweetish bark as a food[303.; It was ground into flour and made into cakes.

Habitat & North American Range

A characteristic tree of secondary dry deciduous forest, desert thorn forest, ravine thorn forest, Zizyphus scrub, and desert dune scrub. (Zone 10)