''Prosopis laevigata'', commonly known as smooth mesquite, is a species of

flowering A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism ...

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, and north-western Argentina ( Jujuy Province). In Mexico, the species is found in the nation's the central highlands, the lowlands of southern

Tamaulipas Tamaulipas (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Tamaulipas ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas), is a state in the northeast region of Mexico; one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Federal Entiti ...

, and in parts of

Oaxaca Oaxaca ( , also , , from nci, Huāxyacac ), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Oaxaca ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca), is one of the 32 states that compose the political divisions of Mexico, Federative Entities of Mexico. It is ...

, Morelos, Puebla, and Chiapas. It grows on a variety of sites on hillslides, in depressions, and along

floodplain A floodplain or flood plain or bottomlands is an area of land adjacent to a river which stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls, and which experiences flooding during periods of high discharge.Goudi ...

s. It has been spotted growing in the

Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europ ...

as well.

References

laevigata Plants described in 1962 Trees of Argentina Trees of Bolivia Trees of Mexico Trees of Peru Flora of Northeastern Mexico Least concern plants Taxa named by Aimé Bonpland Taxa named by Alexander von Humboldt Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Mimosoideae-stub