Ghaf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• jandi

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Prosopis aculeata
• Mimosa cinerea
• Prosopis spicigera
• Mimosa cineraria
• Acacia cineraria
• Adenanthera aculeata
• Prosopis spicata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Prosopis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several arid regions of Western Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. In the area of Western Asia, it can be found growing in both Afghanistan and Iran. Its presence extends into the Arabian Peninsula, where it is common throughout the various Gulf States. Specifically, the species is well-documented in the nation of Kuwait. Additionally, the plant is naturally distributed within the borders of Oman.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Prosopis cineraria is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, it develops significant woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs well above the ground, though it can also be categorized under the life form of nanophanerophyte depending on specific growth stages or environmental adaptations. In terms of its foliage patterns, the species exhibits evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its canopy and physiological activity throughout much of its existence.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prosopis cineraria is characterized by its growth form as a tree, exhibiting a robust and woody structure. It is an independent organism, functioning without any parasitic relationship, and typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 6.5 m. As a self-supporting species, it maintains a sturdy, upright stature without the need for external climbing structures.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

6.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prosopis cineraria is characterized by highly efficient metabolic adaptations that allow it to thrive in arid and semi-arid environments. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, relying on the standard fixation of carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO, which it manages effectively through specialized anatomical adaptations to minimize water loss. A defining physiological feature of this species is its capacity to act as a nitrogen fixer; through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria located within its root nodules, the plant converts atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, significantly enhancing soil fertility and its own nutrient uptake in nitrogen-poor soils. This combination of efficient carbon assimilation and biological nitrogen fixation supports its robust growth and resilience in harsh ecological niches.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prosopis cineraria is characterized by a seasonal flowering cycle and a biotic pollination strategy. The flowering period typically commences in May and continues through August, though the exact timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. This process relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect-based pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.039555 g, with recorded values ranging from a minimum of 0.0385 g to a maximum of 0.04061 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.04061 g

Seed mass mean:

0.039555 g

Seed mass min:

0.0385 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Prosopis cineraria has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Natural product research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
4. Biological trace element research

Seed

1. International journal of peptide research and therapeutics

Stem

1. Biological trace element research

Chemicals

Prosopis cineraria has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Vitexin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Myricitrin, Rhoifolin, caffeic acid.

Vitexin

1. Natural product research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Myricitrin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhoifolin

1. Natural product research

caffeic acid

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

ferulic acid

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

palmitic acid

1. Toxicon: X

protocatechuic acid

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

vanillin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Prosopis cineraria has 2 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Expectorant.

Antibacterial

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Expectorant

1. Biomolecules

Medicinal Uses

Prosopis cineraria has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Acute myeloid leukemia, Chronic myeloid leukemia, asthma, conjunctivitis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations