Prosopis farcta

Syrian mesquite

Prosopis farcta, commonly known as desert broom or thorny mesquite, is a resilient, woody shrub native to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Highly adapted to arid environments, this medicinal plant is traditionally valued for its diverse therapeutic properties, offering significant potential in treating various ailments within traditional herbal medicine.

  • Scientific name: Prosopis farcta
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Prosopis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Prosopis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Prosopis farcta, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Kurdish, it is called Xurnûf (ku), while in Arabic, it is identified as غاف مليء (ar). Its Hebrew name is ינבוט השדה (he), and in Persian, it is commonly known as کهورک (fa). Additionally, in Azerbaijani, the species is referred to as Çöl pişikdırnağı (az).
Language Common Name Source
ku Xurnûf Wikidata
ar غاف مليء Wikidata
he ינבוט השדה Wikidata
fa کهورک Wikidata
az Çöl pişikdırnağı Wikidata
arz غاف مليء Wikidata
ckb خڕنووک Wikidata
en Syrian mesquite Wikidata
ckb خرنووک Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions in both Africa and Asia. In Northern Africa, its presence is well-documented within the countries of Algeria and Egypt. It can also be found growing across the landscapes of Libya and Tunisia. Moving beyond the African continent, the species extends its range into Central Asia. Specifically, it inhabits the vast territories of Kazakhstan.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
Northern Africa Tunisia WCVP
Central Asia Kazakhstan WCVP
Central Asia Kirgizstan WCVP
Central Asia Turkmenistan WCVP
Central Asia Tadzhikistan WCVP
Central Asia Uzbekistan WCVP
Caucasus Transcaucasus WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Prosopis farcta, possesses several components that are utilized for their therapeutic potential. The leaf is one of the most significant parts used in traditional remedies, often being processed to create a concentrated extract. Depending on the method of preparation, researchers may utilize a specialized aqueous extract to isolate specific bioactive compounds. These various plant extracts are studied extensively to understand their medicinal efficacy, and even the beans produced by the plant are noted for their unique chemical profiles.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
plant extracts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆
extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆
beans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aqueous extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Prosopis farcta has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include luteolin, Cd, Cu, catechin, chlorogenic acid.

Total chemicals
15
Scientific sources
17

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
luteolin 3 ★★☆☆☆
Cd 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cu 1 ★☆☆☆☆
catechin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fat 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fatty acids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Prosopis farcta has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Apoptotic, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Apoptotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Prosopis farcta has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hyperglycemia, Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes mellitus, asthma, cancers.

Total uses
12
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
hyperglycemia 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Cardiovascular diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cell death 1 ★☆☆☆☆
conjunctivitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ischemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆