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Neltuma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Neltuma
Neltuma caldenia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Neltuma
Raf. (1838)
Species

43; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Algarobia (DC.) Benth. (1839)
  • Mitostax Raf. (1838)

Neltuma is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family (Fabaceae). It includes 43 species native to the Americas, which were previously placed in genus Prosopis.[2] The species range from the southwestern and central United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America to southern Argentina and Uruguay.[1] Along with related species in the genus Strombocarpa, some species are known as mesquites.

image of Neltuma alpataco
Neltuma alpataco

Species

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43 species are accepted:[1]

Phytochemistry

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Neltuma species have been found to contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, apigenin, isorhamnetin-3-diglucoside, l-arabinose, quercetin, tannin, and tryptamine.[3]

Neltuma species known to contain alkaloids
Neltuma alba Beta-phenethylamine and tryptamine[4]
Neltuma alpataco "Aerial parts" contain tryptamine, phenethylamine derivatives.[5]
Neltuma argentina "Aerial parts" contain tryptamine, phenethylamine derivatives. Exudate contains tryptamine, phenethylamine derivatives.[5]
Neltuma chilensis "Aerial parts" contain beta-phenethylamine and derivatives plus tryptamine[5][6]
Neltuma glandulosa Alkaloids in bark and roots,[3] tyramine and N-methyltyramine (a stimulant) in leaves[7]
Neltuma juliflora 5-HTP (plant) and tryptamine (plant).[8]
Neltuma nigra Harman, eleagnine, and N-acetyltryptamine[9]
Neltuma pugionata "Aerial parts" contain tryptamine, phenethylamine derivatives.[5]

The tannins present in Neltuma species are of the pyrogallotannin and pyrocatecollic types.[10] The tannins are mainly found in the bark and wood, while their concentration in the pods is low.[11]

Some species, such as N. velutina, produce a gum (mesquite gum).[12]

As an introduced and invasive species

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The species Neltuma pallida was introduced to Hawaii in 1828 and now dominates many of the drier coastal parts of the islands, where it is called the kiawe tree and is a prime source of monofloral honey production.[13]

In Australia, invasive Neltuma species are causing severe economic and environmental damage. With their thorns and many low branches, Neltuma shrubs form impenetrable thickets which prevent cattle from accessing watering holes, etc. They also take over pastoral grasslands and suck up scarce water. Neltuma species cause land erosion due to loss of grassland that are habitats for native plants and animals. Neltuma thickets also provide shelter for feral animals such as pigs and cats.[14]

Eradication

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Eradicating Neltuma is difficult because the plant's bud regeneration zone can extend down to 6 in (150 mm) below ground level;[15][16] the tree can regenerate from a piece of root left in the soil.[15] Some herbicides are not effective or only partially effective against mesquite. Spray techniques for removal, while effective against short-term regrowth, are expensive, costing more than $70/acre ($170/hectare) in the USA. Removing large trees requires tracked equipment; costs can approach $2,000 per acre. In Australia, several techniques are used to remove Neltuma.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Neltuma Raf. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  2. ^ Hughes, Colin E.; Ringelberg, Jens; Lewis, G. P.; Catalano, Santiago (August 2022). "Disintegration of the genus Prosopis L. (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade)". PhytoKeys (205). Pensoft Publishers: 147–189. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.205.75379. PMC 9849005. PMID 36762004.
  3. ^ a b Medicinal Plants of the Southwest Archived 2007-04-20 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Graziano MN, Ferraro GE, Coussio JD (December 1971). "Alkaloids of Argentine medicinal plants. II. Isolation of tyramine, beta-phenethylamine and tryptamine from Prosopis alba". Lloydia. 34 (4): 453–4. PMID 5173440.
  5. ^ a b c d Tapia A, Egly Feresin G, Bustos D, Astudillo L, Theoduloz C, Schmeda-Hirschmann G (July 2000). "Biologically active alkaloids and a free radical scavenger from Prosopis species". J Ethnopharmacol. 71 (1–2): 241–6. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00171-9. PMID 10904169.
  6. ^ Luis Astudillo; Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann; Juan P Herrera; Manuel Cortés (April 2000). "Proximate composition and biological activity of Chilean Prosopis species". J Sci Food Agric. 80 (5): 567–573. Bibcode:2000JSFA...80..567A. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0010(200004)80:5<567::AID-JSFA563>3.0.CO;2-Y. Archived from the original on 2012-12-16.
  7. ^ "Prosopis glandulosa". www.hort.purdue.edu. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
  8. ^ Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
  9. ^ Constantino Manuel Torres; David B. Repke (15 March 2006). Anadenanthera: visionary plant of ancient South America. Psychology Press. pp. 134–. ISBN 978-0-7890-2642-2.
  10. ^ Rocha, R. G. A. (1988). "Prosopis juliflora as a source of food and medicine for rural inhabitants in Rio Grande do Norte". In Habit, M. A.; Saavedra, J. C. (eds.). The Current State of Knowledge on Prosopis juliflora. FAO. pp. 397–403. hdl:20.500.14283/ad317e.
  11. ^ Pasiecznik, N.M.; Felker, P.; Harris, P.J.C.; Harsh, L.N.; Cruz, G.; Tewari, J.C.; Cadoret, K.; Maldonado, L.J. (2001). The Prosopis julifloraProsopis pallida Complex: A Monograph (PDF). ISBN 978-0-905343-30-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  12. ^ Adikwu, MU; Ezeabasili, SI; Esimone, CO (2001). "Evaluation of the physico-chemical properties of a new polysaccharide gum from Prosopis africana". Bollettino Chimico Farmaceutico. 140 (1): 40–5. PMID 11338777.
  13. ^ Prosopis pallida species info
  14. ^ a b ""Mesquite (Prosopis species)" Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra" (PDF).
  15. ^ a b Mesquite Info
  16. ^ The Mesquite