Prosopis juliflora

Prosopis juliflora is a shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean, but has become a highly invasive species in many parts of India, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It is characterized by its thorny branches and bipinnate leaves. It is extremely drought-tolerant and can thrive in poor, saline soils where other native species struggle.

While primarily considered a weed, some traditional practices use the bark and leaves for treating skin ailments, toothaches, and as an astringent, though its medicinal use is limited compared to its ecological impact.

It is known for its extreme resilience and ability to survive in harsh, water-scarce environments, which has led to its widespread, often problematic, naturalization across India.