National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Tumacácori National Historical ParkMesquite leaves
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Tumacácori National Historical Park
Mesquite Tree
Mesquite tree on Tumacácori Mission grounds
Photo by Anita Badertscher
Velvet mesquite tree on Tumacácori Mission grounds
 

The mesquite tree was extremely important to the O'odham people. The bean pods were an essential food staple. The hard wood is excellent as firewood and as a building material.

Both Velvet and Honey mesquites are found at Tumacácori, with Velvet mesquite being by far the most prevalent tree in the park.

 
Velvet mesquite pods

Photo Courtesy of Tarleton University

Velvet mesquite bean pods

The mesquite bean can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable when fresh. Fully ripened and dried, the pod can be ground into a flour that is sweet and very high in protein.
Mission San José de Tumacácori  

Did You Know?
Tumacácori National Historical Park is located in the historic Pimería Alta or "Land of the Upper Pimas," an area that includes much of present-day southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico.

Last Updated: October 01, 2006 at 13:14 EST