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Neltuma pallida

(Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) C.E.Hughes & G.P.Lewis (2022)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Neltuma

algaroba, keawe, kiawe, mesquite

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees 8–20 m tall, +/–with slender stipular spines 0.3–1(–1.7) cm long.

Stems: Stems woody.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound (pinnate). Alternate. Leaves with (1–)3–4 pairs of pinnae, each with 6–15 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets oblong to elliptic–oblong, 2.5–10 mm long, 1.4–4 mm wide. Apex mucronate or weakly acuminate. Base rounded, usually oblique. Surfaces pubescent, sometimes only along margins and on rachis, rachis with a small nectary gland below each pair of pinnae, with leaflets, with a nectary between each pair of leaflets. Leaflet margins entire. Veins prominent on lower surface. Petiolate. Stipules present as spines 0.3-1(-1.7) cm long.

Flowers: Flowers numerous, in cylindrical spikes 7–12 cm long. Flowers mimosaceous, bisexual (perfect). Calyx campanulate, shortly 5-toothed. Corolla of 5 petals, corolla yellowish green, ca. 6 mm long, inner surface of petals pilose. Stamens 5–6 mm long. Ovary superior, stipitate; ovules numerous.

Fruit: Pods yellowish brown; subcylindrical; often irregularly curved; 6–25 cm long; 1–1.5 cm wide; stipe 1.3–1.8 cm long; septate between the seeds. Seeds brown; narrowly obovoid; ca. 6.5 mm long; numerous slightly laterally compressed; with a horseshoe–shaped areole and copious endosperm.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Dominant component of the vegetation in low elevation; dry disturbed sites; from the vegetation line behind beaches; on raised limestone reefs; dry slopes and gulches; and in degraded dry forest.

Elevation Range: 0–610 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Not in flora
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds
Forestry

Pollinators

Notes

  • 0-610 m
  • Description digitized by Olivia Kraus
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • pods used for cattle feed. seeds were indigestible so were excreted, helped spread the tree
  • single tree planted in 1828

Bibliography

Name Published In: Phytokeys 205. p182 (2022)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:692 (Mi, K, O, L, M, Ka, H [as Prosopis pallida]); Hughes 1995:6 (Mo); Staples & Herbst 2005:322 (DESCR); Wood & LeGrande 2006:23 (Le); Hughes et al. 2022:182 (COMBNOV, Syn. P. pallida = N. pallida); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:182 (remove Mi [no evidence of nat.])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Neltuma pallida 1.5 mi W. Moomomi Beach Sand dunes. Preserved_Specimen Aidem, J. Molokai BISH 1972-02-17
2 Neltuma pallida Waipio Peninsula, U.S. Navy property Undeveloped scrubland. Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 ft. tall. Occasional. Trunk ca 3 in. diam. Leaves larger than Prosopis pallida. Flowers/fruit similar to P. pallida. Thorns longer than P. pallida Matayoshi, N. 1001 Oahu BISH 2001-01-25
3 Neltuma pallida Volcanoes National Park, Kau. near Halape shelter near water hole Preserved_Specimen Medium tree Herat, T. 866 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-30
4 Neltuma pallida North Mokulua Islet. One clump on beach Low rounded dense clump 2 m high; flowers yellow; fruit immature. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 27113 Oahu BISH 1946-10-13
5 Neltuma pallida Along old cemetery along Kahekili Hwy with Leucaena and scattered Casuarina; thin grass undergrowth Preserved_Specimen Tree to ~25'; dbh 7. Leaves compound; leaflets to 1 cm long. Pods somewhat flat, to 16 cm long. Thorns present at leaf axiles Spence, G. 71 Maui BISH 1972-10-15
6 Neltuma pallida Makaha Beach Park valley Preserved_Specimen spreading tree of 30', 1.5' d.b.h., crooked trunk, irregular crown. Flowers greenish yellow Little Jr., E.L. 40504 Oahu BISH 1987-09-06
7 Neltuma pallida Moomomi, parcel 8 , proposed sand mining tract behind the stand zone Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 2965 Molokai BISH 1986-10-30
8 Neltuma pallida Dillingham Ranch, s. of Mokuleia Spreading tree 30 ft., with short trunk 1-1 1/2 ft. diam. Abundant on rocky lower slope, naturalized. Preserved_Specimen Dry forest. Little Jr., E.L. 31023 Oahu BISH 1976-08-10
9 Neltuma pallida Honolulu, between Keehi Boat Harbors North and South Dry, weedy wasteland near the ocean. Prosopis juliflora growing nearby. Preserved_Specimen Tree 15 ft. tall growing behind berm along the coast. Imada, C. 200457 Oahu BISH 2004-09-30
10 Neltuma pallida Base of Hawaii Loa ridge facing Niu. Behind residential area above Hawaii Loa st. and Kalanianaole Hwy. Dry forest/scrubland dominated by Prosopis pallida, Leucaena leucocephala, Hylocerus undatus, Megathyrsus maximus, and Jasminum fluminense. Preserved_Specimen Low spreading tree roughly 4 m tall. Leaflets minutely pubescent, branches essentially thornless. Thomas, M.K. 411 Oahu BISH 2022-06-25
11 Neltuma pallida Kalaupapa, peninsula, N side of field across from Catholic cemetery dry disturbed shrub dominated by Prosopis pallida, Schinus terebinthifolius and Lantana camara Preserved_Specimen 10 m tree, gnarled; prominent thorns on branches Wysong, M.L. 821 Molokai BISH 2005-12-02
12 Neltuma pallida Waipio Peninsula, U.S. Navy property Undeveloped scrubland. Preserved_Specimen Tall shrub 10 ft. tall. Occasional. Trunk ca 5 in. diam. Leaves larger than Prosopis pallida. Flowers/fruit similar to P. pallida. Thorns shorter, more stout than P. pallida. Matayoshi, N. 1002 Oahu BISH 2001-01-25
13 Neltuma pallida Honolulu District. Koko Head Introduced. Preserved_Specimen Canopy cover on inner slopes of Ihiihilaukea Crater and Floor of Nonoula Crater, Scattered patches elsewhere. Flowers and Leaves produced mainly in rainy season. Bruegmann, M.M. 133 Oahu BISH 1984-01-17
14 Neltuma pallida Kaalualu Bay near South Point low thickets in windswept areas Preserved_Specimen Tree to ~10 m, flowers white in long infloresences. Whistler, W.A. 36 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
15 Neltuma pallida Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Service road makau of visitor's center exotic vegetation; highly modified by ancient Polynesians Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10308 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
16 Neltuma pallida Nanakuli Dry region near sea. Preserved_Specimen Naturalized Degener, O. 9955 Oahu BISH 1935-07-22
17 Neltuma pallida Honolulu, Kapiolani Park Preserved_Specimen Tree 12 m. tall on lawn in full sun. Lau, J. 1248 Oahu BISH 1985-07-23
18 Neltuma pallida Kalihi Street, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen 25' woody weed. Grant, M.L. 7106 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
19 Neltuma pallida Honolulu, Kalihi, Bishop Museum Campus, SE side of Bishop Hall fronting Castle Buildingl. Preserved_Specimen Large tree ca. 40-45ft in ht. Kennedy, B. 146 Oahu BISH 2023-02-09
20 Neltuma pallida Waimea District, Barking sands; Coastal shrubland with Dodonaea viscosa on coral sand dunes, invaded by Prosopis Pallida Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 meters x 40 centimeters, fowers yellowish green. Ripe fruits light tan, indehiscent. Naturalized, abundant. Lorence, D.H. 7213 Kauai BISH 1992-06-20
21 Neltuma pallida Kapalama Canal seaward of Dillingham Blvd Preserved_Specimen Tree 5 meters tall growing at the water's edge of brackish water canal. Lau, J. 1245 Oahu BISH 1985-07-23
22 Neltuma pallida Waialaeiki Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 meters tall out in the open on the lawn of a park. Lau, J. 1246 Oahu BISH 1985-07-23
23 Neltuma pallida U.H. Campus, mountainward of the Korean Studies Center Preserved_Specimen Tree 12 m tall in full sun. Situated in the center of a paved parking lot. Lau, J. 1250 Oahu BISH 1985-07-24
24 Neltuma pallida U of H Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 meters x 8 dm. St.John, H. 20307 Oahu BISH 1942-08-19
25 Neltuma pallida Oahu Preserved_Specimen Swieny trunk and branches wide- spreading Higuchi, G.T. 17 Oahu BISH 1971-05-08
26 Neltuma pallida Mokapu Point, in valley, leeward side of Point Preserved_Specimen Tree to 4.5 m Long, C.R. 1706 Oahu BISH 1964-05-06
27 Neltuma pallida Kalamaula Game Management Area; lower part Common tree growing in coastal dry shrubland and lowland forest. Preserved_Specimen Hughes, G.D. Molokai BISH 1990-11-05
28 Neltuma pallida Lehua Rock Sida fallax, Jacquemontia sandwicensis, Sicyos, Waltheria indica, Abutilon grandifolium, Portulaca oleracea, Doryopteris decipiens, Boerhavia repens, Artemisia australis Preserved_Specimen Wood, K.R. 9218 Lehua Rock BISH 2001-12-20
29 Neltuma pallida Beach Kaiolohia Bay, north Lanai Preserved_Specimen Tree to 6 meters; dbh 10 , Forming large monotypic stands. Leaves compound, leaflets to 1 cm long. Thorns absent. Pods almost flat to 18 cm long. Flowers small yellow, on long cylindrical spikes. Spence, G. 306 Lanai BISH 1973-10-18
30 Neltuma pallida Nanakuli dry, near sea Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9955 Oahu BISH 1935-07-22
31 Neltuma pallida Luamakika Most common large shrub in area except for planted Tamarix aphylla. Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5770 Kahoolawe BISH 1988-02-24
32 Neltuma pallida Palolo Valley Preserved_Specimen Garber, D.W. 50 Oahu BISH 1919-11-09
33 Neltuma pallida unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 200 BISH 1864-01-01
34 Neltuma pallida Honolulu, University campus Preserved_Specimen Tree 10 m. x 8 dm.; trunk ropy muscular; tree broad topped deliquescent branching. St.John, H. 20308 Oahu BISH 1942-08-19
35 Neltuma pallida Base of Punchbowl Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2001 Oahu BISH 1895-03-25
36 Neltuma pallida Makapuu Beach Park Preserved_Specimen tree of 25', 1' d.b.h., thickets Little Jr., E.L. 40506 Oahu BISH 1987-09-06
37 Neltuma pallida UH Campus Arboretum. Located SE of Shidler, mauka of moped parking. Preserved_Specimen Tree damaged by strong winds. Pruned/trimmed heavily by landscape support. Cuttings retrieved via piles left behind by landscape support. Old tree that pre-dates the College of Hawai'i. Observed to be thornless before damage/trimming. Haltom, J. 42 Oahu BISH 2023-03-09
38 Neltuma pallida Honolulu: Manoa Valley; University of Hawaii Manoa Campus Preserved_Specimen Large, armed, hard- wooded, sinewy tree with pale foliage and yellow flowers and fruits. Herbst, D.R. 539 Oahu BISH 1967-08-24
39 Neltuma pallida Maluea Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 360 Lanai BISH 1928-08-01
40 Neltuma pallida Sunset Beach near Kam Highway, Oahu, hawaii Preserved_Specimen Buchanan, H. 582 Oahu BISH 1961-08-30
41 Neltuma pallida Kekaha, base of Waimea Canyon Road Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 6073 Kauai BISH 1988-04-11
42 Neltuma pallida Diamond Head, along gullies, bottom of crater Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10552 Oahu BISH 1930-05-10
43 Neltuma pallida Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7262 Oahu BISH 1933-05-30
44 Neltuma pallida Honolulu, just above corner of Nehoa St. and Pensacola Ave Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 42015 Oahu BISH 1961-09-02
45 Neltuma pallida Down Kalihi Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2537 Oahu BISH 1919-11-06
46 Neltuma pallida U.H Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 20336 Oahu BISH 1943-05-11
47 Neltuma pallida Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Ordy Pond area. Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 89 Oahu BISH 2021-05-17
48 Neltuma pallida Kaunakakai, on the road to Maunahui Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. Molokai BISH 1932-12-26
49 Neltuma pallida Oahu Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
50 Neltuma pallida Hounami Rd., 5 mile maker, Hwy 520, Puipu, West of Sheraton Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. Kauai BISH 1984-08-30
51 Neltuma pallida University Campus Preserved_Specimen 12 Oahu BISH 1963-10-12
52 Neltuma pallida Fort Ruger Rocky Hill-side. Preserved_Specimen Spreading threee 5 meter tall. Lau, J. 1247 Oahu BISH 1985-07-23
53 Neltuma pallida Honolulu; University of Hawaii Dry ground Preserved_Specimen Inafuku, R. Oahu BISH 1931-03-04
54 Neltuma pallida Honolulu dry coral plain Preserved_Specimen Baker, R.J. Oahu BISH 1932-07-15
55 Neltuma pallida Waianae Mts., Ohikilolo Tree 6 m. high, 25 cm. d.b.h.; yellow flowers. Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 508 Oahu BISH 1952-06-28
56 Neltuma pallida Hwy. 30 S of Lahaina, 1.5 miles N of refuse disposal next to ocean Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. 1001 Maui BISH 1984-08-26
57 Neltuma pallida Makapuu Point State Wayside Park; road to Makapuu Pt Disturbed coastal dry mixed community. Preserved_Specimen Tree to 4m. Annable, C.R. 3120 Oahu BISH 1996-11-07
58 Neltuma pallida 1 mi N of Makua Beach roadside and arid hills on ocean; with Prosopis pallida (i.e. chilensis), Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia farnesiana, Desmanthus virgatus, Atriplex semibaccata on inner beach Preserved_Specimen tree 2-5 m, fls. pale whitish yellow. Mature fruits all empty Iltis, H.H. 230 Oahu BISH 1967-07-01
59 Neltuma pallida Koko Crater Dry plain Preserved_Specimen Tree 6 m. tall, fl. spike. Hume, E.P. 188 Oahu BISH 1931-04-19
60 Neltuma pallida Between Kailua and Keahole Airport exposed arid aa lava along highway Preserved_Specimen Stunted, gnarled tree with yellow flowers and fruit Herbst, D.R. 5014 Hawaii BISH 1974-09-16
61 Neltuma pallida Hwy. 30 S of Lahaina, 1.5 miles N of refuse disposal next to ocean Preserved_Specimen Bragg, L.H. 1001 Maui BISH 1984-08-26
62 Neltuma pallida United States, Hawaii. Maui County, 5 mi SW of Kihei Road on Honoapiilani Hsy. Host plant # 5 for a collection of Miridae Preserved_Specimen Stonedahl, G.M. Maui BISH 1984-03-04
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