Comparative Study of Two Taxa of the Genus Prosopis (Fabaceae): Prosopis juliflora (Sw) DC. And P. chilensis (Molina) Stuntz

This work is a contribution to a better knowledge of the species of the genus Prosopis. It proposes specifically, to highlight the similarities and dissimilarities between Prosopis juliflora and P. chilensis. To achieve the results, observations and measurements were made on the different organs of the species. The comparison of the data obtained shows that the discriminating features are the spines which are more frequent on the branches of P. chilensis and rare on those of Prosopis juliflora. The distinguishing traits are related to the inflorescence of P. juliflora which is longer and denser than that of Prosopis chilensis. The top of the pod (beak) is more tapered in P. juliflora. This work allowed the identification of the two species of the genus Prosopis.