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Neltuma chilensis

Neltuma chilensis

(Molina) C.E. Hughes & G.P. Lewis
Algarrobo Blanco

Family: Fabaceae
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Phylum / Division: Magnoliophyta
Kingdom: Plantae

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Synonyms: Prosopis chilensis.





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Description


Neltuma chilensis (formerly Prosopis chilensis) is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae. It is found in parts of central Chile, southern Peru, Bolivia, and Andean (northwestern) Argentina. Its common names include Chilean mesquite (algarrobo chileno, in Spanish), cupesí (in eastern Bolivia), and Chilean algarrobo. It is used for providing shade, for animal feed, and firewood.

 Neltuma chilensis is a medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching a height of about 14 m. The trunk is stout and gnarled, and can reach a metre (yard) in diameter. The bark is pale brown and thick, exhibiting cracks and vertical fissures. The leaves are pinnate, up to 20 cm long, with twelve to twenty leaflets arranged in pairs. Each leaflet is oval with a smooth margin and a yellowish green upper surface. A pair of strong, curved thorns is borne at the location of each whorl of leaves. The flowers are borne in dense axillary spikes, with each individual flower having five sepals, five petals, and ten stamens. The fruits are twisted or coiled pods, up to 15 cm long, containing several coffee-coloured seeds inside. N. chilensis flowers between October and December, and the fruits ripen between February and April.

Distribution and habitat: Neltuma chilensis is found in Peru, Bolivia, eastern Argentina, and central Chile, growing on light soils in arid regions. It is highly drought-resistant and likely fixes nitrogen. It has been introduced into Hawaii, where it is now commonly found growing in thickets behind beaches.

Uses: Neltuma chilensis is used as a shade tree and for firewood. The leaves are used as fodder for livestock and the pods and seeds are of high nutritive value and are ground to make an animal feed. Honey bees, and several other species of bee, pollinate the flowers.

Source: Wikipedia, article Neltuma chilensis. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 17/07/2026.





Geographic distribution


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Species photographs

Count: 18

Foto
Photography ID: 673003
  Seed

Tuizón
La Rioja
Argentina
12/03/2013
Ramón Vera
Foto
Photography ID: 673002
  Adult

Tuizón
La Rioja
Argentina
12/03/2013
Ramón Vera
Foto
Photography ID: 672414
  Adult

Junín
San Luis
Argentina
01/23/2026
Manuel Godoy
Foto
Photography ID: 655925
  Adult

Reserva Natural Urbana Taku
La Rioja
Argentina
10/05/2025
Carlos De Biagi
Foto
Photography ID: 647891
  Adult

Reserva Natural Urbana Taku
La Rioja
Argentina
08/13/2025
Carlos De Biagi
Foto
Photography ID: 635478
  Adult

Sanagasta
La Rioja
Argentina
05/16/2025
Hugo Alberto Valderrey
Foto
Photography ID: 625462
  Adult

El Puesto
Catamarca
Argentina
04/20/2018
Hugo Alberto Valderrey
Foto
Photography ID: 527564
  Adult

Departamento de Lavalle
Mendoza
Argentina
01/11/2010
Manuel Godoy
Foto
Photography ID: 450042
  Adult

Ciudad de La Rioja
La Rioja
Argentina
05/17/2014
Ramón Vera
Foto
Photography ID: 450040
  Adult

Ciudad de La Rioja
La Rioja
Argentina
05/17/2014
Ramón Vera



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Species reports



 Detail of places sorted by number of records






Species records

Count: 21



Page 1 of 3
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
242934501/02/2026ArgentinaLa RiojaDepartamento Castro BarrosHugo Alberto Valderrey
243102023/01/2026ArgentinaSan LuisMerlo, JunínManuel Godoy
237214905/10/2025ArgentinaLa RiojaReserva Natural Urbana TakuCarlos De Biagi
234155413/08/2025ArgentinaLa RiojaReserva Natural Urbana TakuCarlos De Biagi
228977816/05/2025ArgentinaLa RiojaSanagastaHugo Alberto Valderrey
229304115/05/2025ArgentinaLa RiojaAfueras de la Ciudad de La RiojaHugo Alberto Valderrey
196864508/02/2024ArgentinaLa RiojaCañón Talampaya (-29,797612, -67,869561), Parque Nacional TalampayaJorge La Grotteria
196861108/02/2024ArgentinaLa RiojaCañón Talampaya (-29,797612, -67,869561), Parque Nacional TalampayaMaría Alejandra Sosa
196872405/02/2024ArgentinaSaltaFinca La MontañaJorge La Grotteria
196871905/02/2024ArgentinaSaltaFinca La MontañaMaría Alejandra Sosa
Page 1 of 3

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Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Neltuma chilensis – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 14/09/2026.