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{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| image = Khejri.jpg
| image = Khejri.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_caption =
| genus = Prosopis
| genus = Prosopis
| species = cineraria
| species = cineraria
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|L]].) [[George Claridge Druce|Druce]]
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|L]].) [[George Claridge Druce|Druce]]
| synonyms = ''Adenanthera aculeata'' Roxb.<ref name="LIFE">{{cite web|url=http://www.catalogueoflife.org/details/species/id/583159 |title=''Prosopis cineraria'' (L.) Druce |work=Catalogue of Life |publisher=Integrated Taxonomic Information System and Species2000 |date=2012-03-15 |access-date=2012-03-21}}</ref><br/>
| synonyms = ''Adenanthera aculeata'' Roxb.<ref name="LIFE">{{cite web |url=http://www.catalogueoflife.org/details/species/id/583159 |title=''Prosopis cineraria'' (L.) Druce |work=Catalogue of Life |publisher=Integrated Taxonomic Information System and Species2000 |date=2012-03-15 |access-date=2012-03-21 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417213302/https://www.catalogueoflife.org/details/species/id/583159 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />
''[[Mimosa]] cineraria'' <small>L.</small><br />
''[[Mimosa]] cineraria'' <small>L.</small><br />
''Prosopis spicigera'' <small>L.</small><ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN | access-date=2009-12-31}}</ref><br/>
''Prosopis spicigera'' <small>L.</small><ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN | access-date=2009-12-31}}</ref><br />
''Prosopis spicata'' Burm.<ref name="LIFE"/>|
''Prosopis spicata'' Burm.<ref name="LIFE"/>|
}}
}}


'''''Prosopis cineraria''''', also known as '''ghaf''', is a species of [[Flowering plant|flowering]] [[tree]] in the [[pea]] family, [[Fabaceae]]. It is native to [[arid]] portions of [[Western Asia]] and the [[Indian Subcontinent]], including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Its leaves are shattered and stripy along its branch. It can survive extreme drought. It is an established [[introduced species]] in parts of [[Southeast Asia]], including [[Indonesia]].<ref name="LIFE"/>
'''''Prosopis cineraria''''', also known as '''Persian mesquite''' or '''ghaf''', is a species of [[Flowering plant|flowering]] [[tree]] in the [[pea]] family, [[Fabaceae]]. It is native to [[arid]] portions of [[Western Asia]] and the [[Indian Subcontinent]], including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Its leaves are [[pinnate|bipinnate]]. It can survive extreme drought. It is an established [[introduced species]] in parts of [[Southeast Asia]], including [[Indonesia]].{{Dead link|date=April 2023}}<ref name="LIFE"/>


The ʿGhaf is the national tree of the [[United Arab Emirates]]. Through the ''Give a Ghaf campaign'' its citizens are urged to plant it in their gardens to combat [[desertification]] and to preserve their country's heritage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.7daysindubai.com/UAE-groups-help-save-ghaf-trees-Combat/story-19300102-detail/story.html|title=UAE groups help to save ghaf trees on UN 'Combat Desertification Day'|last=Philp|first=Myra|date=2013-06-17|newspaper=7DAYS in Dubai|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012075247/http://www.7daysindubai.com/UAE-groups-help-save-ghaf-trees-Combat/story-19300102-detail/story.html|archive-date=2013-10-12|url-status=dead|publisher=Al Sidra Media}}</ref> The desert village of [[Nazwa]] in the UAE is home to the Al Ghaf Conservation Reserve.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/six-natural-reserves-declared-in-dubai-1.247444|title=Six natural reserves declared in Dubai|work=The National|access-date=2018-09-09|language=en}}</ref>
The ghaf is the national tree of the [[United Arab Emirates]]. Through the ''Give a Ghaf campaign'' its citizens are urged to plant it in their gardens to combat [[desertification]] and preserve their country's heritage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.7daysindubai.com/UAE-groups-help-save-ghaf-trees-Combat/story-19300102-detail/story.html|title=UAE groups help to save ghaf trees on UN 'Combat Desertification Day'|last=Philp|first=Myra|date=2013-06-17|newspaper=7DAYS in Dubai|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012075247/http://www.7daysindubai.com/UAE-groups-help-save-ghaf-trees-Combat/story-19300102-detail/story.html|archive-date=2013-10-12|url-status=dead|publisher=Al Sidra Media}}</ref> The desert village of [[Nazwa]] in the UAE is home to the Al Ghaf Conservation Reserve.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/six-natural-reserves-declared-in-dubai-1.247444|title=Six natural reserves declared in Dubai|work=The National|access-date=2018-09-09|language=en}}</ref>


''Prosopis cineraria'' is also the state tree of [[Rajasthan]] (where it is known as '''Khejri'''), [[Western Uttar Pradesh]] (where it is known as '''Chhonkara''') and [[Telangana]] (where it is known as '''''Jammi''''' <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/What%E2%80%99s-common-to-jinka-paalapitta-jammi-chettu-and-thangedu-puvvu/article11013542.ece|title=What's common to jinka, paalapitta, jammi chettu and thangedu puvvu?|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}}</ref> ) in India. A large and well-known example of the species is the [[Tree of Life, Bahrain|Tree of Life]] in Bahrain – approximately 400 years old and growing in a desert devoid of any obvious sources of water.
''Prosopis cineraria'' is also the state tree of [[Rajasthan]] (where it is known as '''khejri'''), [[Western Uttar Pradesh]] (where it is known as '''chhonkara''') and [[Telangana]] (where it is known as '''jammi'''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/What%E2%80%99s-common-to-jinka-paalapitta-jammi-chettu-and-thangedu-puvvu/article11013542.ece|title=What's common to jinka, paalapitta, jammi chettu and thangedu puvvu?|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en}}</ref>) in India. A large and well-known example of the species is the [[Tree of Life, Bahrain|Tree of Life]] in Bahrain; it is approximately 400 years old and growing in a desert devoid of any obvious sources of water.


In 1730 AD, the village of Khejarli near [[Jodhpur]] in Rajasthan was the scene of a violent environmental confrontation. Amrita Devi and her three young daughters gave their lives in an attempt to protect some Khejri trees which [[Maharaja Abhay Singh]] had ordered cut to make way for his new palace. This led to widespread defiance in which 363 people were killed trying to save the trees. In the 1970s, the memory of this sacrifice led to the start of the [[Chipko movement]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/khejri-the-tree-that-inspired-chipko-movement-is-dying-a-slow-death-4409701/|title = Khejri, the tree that inspired Chipko movement, is dying a slow death|date = 4 December 2016}}</ref>
In 1730 AD, the village of [[Khejarli]] near [[Jodhpur]] in Rajasthan was the scene of a violent environmental confrontation. Amrita Devi and her three young daughters gave their lives in an attempt to protect some khejri trees which [[Maharaja Abhay Singh]] had ordered cut to make way for his new palace. This led to widespread defiance in which [[Khejarli massacre|363 people were killed trying to save the trees]]. In the 1970s, the memory of this sacrifice led to the start of the [[Chipko movement]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/khejri-the-tree-that-inspired-chipko-movement-is-dying-a-slow-death-4409701/|title = Khejri, the tree that inspired Chipko movement, is dying a slow death|date = 4 December 2016}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Vanni maram branch.jpg|thumb|right|Branch]]
[[File:Vanni maram branch.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Prosopis cineraria Branch]]''P. cineraria'' is a small tree, ranging in height from {{convert|3–5|m|abbr=on}}. The leaves are bipinnate, with seven to fourteen leaflets on each of one to three pinnae. Branches are thorned along the internodes. Flowers are small and creamy-yellow, and followed by seeds in pods. The tree is found in extremely arid conditions, with rainfall as low as {{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}} annually; but is indicative of the presence of a deep water table. As with some other ''Prosopis'' spp., ''P. cineraria'' has demonstrated a tolerance of highly alkaline and saline environments.<ref name="FAO">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/PF000371.HTM |title=''Prosopis cineraria'' (L.) Druce |work=Tropical Forages |publisher=Centre for International Agriculture Research and Food and Agriculture Agency |year=2005 |access-date=2012-03-21}}</ref>
''P. cineraria'' is a small tree, ranging in height from {{convert|3–5|m|abbr=on}}. The leaves are bipinnate, with seven to fourteen leaflets on each of one to three pinnae. Branches are thorned along the internodes. Flowers are small and creamy-yellow and followed by seeds in pods. The tree is found in extremely arid conditions, with rainfall as low as {{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}} annually; but is indicative of the presence of a deep water table. As with some other ''Prosopis'' spp., ''P. cineraria'' has demonstrated a tolerance of highly alkaline and saline environments.<ref name="FAO">{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/PF000371.HTM |title=''Prosopis cineraria'' (L.) Druce |work=Tropical Forages |publisher=Centre for International Agriculture Research and Food and Agriculture Agency |year=2005 |access-date=2012-03-21 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024213136/http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/GBASE/DATA/PF000371.HTM |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The tree should not be confused with the similar looking Chinese lantern tree, ''[[Dichrostachys cinerea]]''. They can be told apart by the flowers. While the Chinese lantern tree has bicolored pink-yellow flowers, the true Shami tree has yellow-colored bristled flowers only, like most other [[mesquite]]s.{{fact|date=May 2022}}
The tree should not be confused with the similar-looking Chinese lantern tree, ''[[Dichrostachys cinerea]]''. They can be told apart by the flowers. While the Chinese lantern tree has bicolored pink-yellow flowers, the true Shami tree has yellow-colored bristled flowers only, like most other [[mesquite]]s.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}


==Religious significance==
==Religious significance==
This tree is highly revered among Hindus and worshiped as part of [[Vijayadashami|Dusshera]] festival.<ref>{{cite journal |first=S.M. |last=Edwards |title=Tree-worship in India |journal=Empire Forestry Journal |date=March 1922 |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=78–86 |jstor=42594479}}</ref> This tree takes importance during the tenth day of the [[Dasara Festival]], when it is celebrated in various parts of India. Historically, among the [[Rajput]]s, the ranas – who were the high priest and the king – used to conduct the worship and then to liberate a jay which was the sacred bird of Lord Rama.<ref name=Crooke1915>{{cite journal |first=W. |last=Crooke |title=The Dasahra: An Autumn festival of Hindus |journal=Folklore |year=1915 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=28–59 |doi=10.1080/0015587X.1915.9719701 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1429971 }}</ref>{{rp|29–30}}<ref name="MANEKA">{{cite book |last1=Gandhi |first1=Maneka |last2=Singh |first2=Yasmeen |title=Brahma's hair – Mythology of Indian plants |url=https://archive.org/details/brahmashaironmyt00gand |url-access=limited |year=1989 |publisher=Rupa & Co. |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-7167-005-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/brahmashaironmyt00gand/page/n61 29]–32}}</ref> In the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], as part of the tenth day ritual of [[Dussahera]], the marathas used to shoot arrows onto the crown of the tree and gather the falling leaves into their turbans.<ref name=Crooke1915/>{{rp|36–37}}<ref name="MANEKA"/>
This tree is highly revered among Hindus and worshipped as part of [[Vijayadashami|Dusshera]] festival.<ref>{{cite journal |first=S.M. |last=Edwards |title=Tree-worship in India |journal=Empire Forestry Journal |date=March 1922 |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=78–86 |jstor=42594479}}</ref> This tree takes importance during the tenth day of the [[Dasara Festival]] when it is celebrated in various parts of India. Historically, among the [[Rajput]]s, the ranas – who were the high priest and the king – used to conduct the worship and then to liberate a jay which was the sacred bird of Lord Rama.<ref name=Crooke1915>{{cite journal |first=W. |last=Crooke |title=The Dasahra: An Autumn festival of Hindus |journal=Folklore |year=1915 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=28–59 |doi=10.1080/0015587X.1915.9719701 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1429971 }}</ref>{{rp|29–30}}<ref name="MANEKA">{{cite book |last1=Gandhi |first1=Maneka |last2=Singh |first2=Yasmeen |title=Brahma's hair – Mythology of Indian plants |url=https://archive.org/details/brahmashaironmyt00gand |url-access=limited |year=1989 |publisher=Rupa & Co. |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-7167-005-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/brahmashaironmyt00gand/page/n61 29]–32}}</ref> In the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], as part of the tenth-day ritual of [[Dussahera]], the marathas used to shoot arrows onto the crown of the tree and gather the falling leaves into their turbans.<ref name=Crooke1915/>{{rp|36–37}}<ref name="MANEKA"/>


The tree is known by different names across the western and northern regions of India, e.g. Shami in [[Maharastra]] & [[Uttar Pradesh]], Jammi in [[Telangana]] & [[Andhra Pradesh]], Khijro in [[Gujarat]], Khejri in Rajasthan, Janti in [[Haryana]], and Jand in the [[Punjab]].{{fact|date=May 2022}}
The tree is known by different names across the western and northern regions of India, e.g. shami in [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Maharastra]] & [[Uttar Pradesh]], jammi in [[Telangana]] & [[Andhra Pradesh]], khijro in [[Gujarat]], khejri in Rajasthan, janti in [[Haryana]], and jand in the [[Punjab]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}


In [[Karnataka]], ''[[Acacia ferruginea]]'' has also been locally referred to as ''Banni mara'' instead of the accepted Khejri tree, and erroneously accepted as the tree where the Pandavas hid their weapons during exile.<ref>{{cite news |author=Babu N.M. Ganesh |title=Tree that hid Pandavas' weapons when they were in exile |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/may/02/tree-that-hid-pandavas-weapons-when-they-were-in-exile-1600285.html |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=2017-05-02 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> There are also some unconfirmed references which consider ''Acacia ferruginea'' as the tree which is revered and worshiped on [[Vijay Dashami day]].<ref>{{cite book |author=S.G. Neginhal |title=Forest Trees of the Western Ghats |year=2011 |publisher=S.G. Neginhal |isbn=9789350671733 |page=133}}</ref> However, according to historical references, ''Prosopis cineraria'' is the tree which is known as the ''Banni mara''<ref name="MYSOREDASARA">{{cite book |author=S. Sivapriyananda |title=Mysore Royal Dasara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DVkyFvZL_qMC |year=1995 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |pages=51, 55}}</ref><ref name="MYSORE TRIBES">{{cite book |author1=L. Krishna Anantha Krishna Iyer (Diwan Bahadur) |author2=Nanjundayya Hebbalalu Velpanuru (Diwan Bahadur) |author3=H.V. Nanjundayya |title=The Mysore tribes and castes |year=1935 |publisher=Mysore University |page=68 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SmRnQEACAAJ&q=Mysore+tribes+and+castes+volume+2}}</ref><ref name="CAMPHOR">{{cite book |last=Fuller |first=Christopher John |title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and society in India |year=2004 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0691120485 |page=121 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Claus |first1=Peter |last2=Diamond |first2=Sarah |last3=Mills |first3=Margaret |title=South Asian Folklore: An encyclopedia |series=Special Reference |year=2003 |isbn=978-0415939195 |page=536 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC}}</ref><ref name="MYSORE CITY">{{cite book |author-last=Parsons |author-first=Constance |title=Mysore City |year=1930 |editor-last=Milford |editor-first=Humphery |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/MysoreCity1930/page/n255 184] |url=https://archive.org/details/MysoreCity1930}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society |journal=Mythic Society |year=1941 |volume=32 |issue=1 |page=309 |url=https://archive.org/details/TheQuarterlyJournalOfTheMythicSociety}}</ref><ref name="BANNIMANTAP">{{cite news |last=Milton |first=Lawrence |title=Why Dasara procession culminates at Bannimantap |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/Why-Dasara-procession-culminates-at-Bannimantap/articleshow/16897375.cms |newspaper=Times of India}}</ref><ref name="CASTES AND TRIBES">{{cite book |author1=Thurston, Edgar |author2=K. Rangachari |title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India |url=https://archive.org/details/castestribesofso01thuruoft |year=1909 |page=[https://archive.org/details/castestribesofso01thuruoft/page/147 147]|publisher=Madras Government Press }}</ref> and is also the tree which holds a special place in the Mysore Dasara where its worshiped on the Vijay-dashami day.<ref name="MYSOREDASARA" /><ref name="MYSORE TRIBES" /><ref name="CAMPHOR" /><ref name="MYSORE CITY" /><ref name="BANNIMANTAP" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Smaranananda Swami |title=Prabuddha Bharata: Or awakened India |year=2001 |volume=106 |page=49 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tLkoAAAAYAAJ&q=mysore+dasara+prabuddha}}</ref><ref name="PRABUDDHA BHARATA">{{cite web |author=Bharata Prabuddha |title=Mysore Dasara - a living tradition |url=http://www.esamskriti.com/html/inside.asp?cat=441&subcat=440&cname=mysodasa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307104723/http://www.esamskriti.com/html/inside.asp?cat=441&subcat=440&cname=mysodasa |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-03-07 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In [[Karnataka]], ''[[Acacia ferruginea]]'' has also been locally referred to as ''Banni mara'' instead of the accepted Khejri tree, and accepted as the tree where the Pandavas hid their weapons during exile.<ref>{{cite news |author=Babu N.M. Ganesh |title=Tree that hid Pandavas' weapons when they were in exile |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/may/02/tree-that-hid-pandavas-weapons-when-they-were-in-exile-1600285.html |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=2017-05-02 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> There are also some unconfirmed references which consider ''Acacia ferruginea'' as the tree which is revered and worshipped on [[Vijay Dashami day]].<ref>{{cite book |author=S.G. Neginhal |title=Forest Trees of the Western Ghats |year=2011 |publisher=S.G. Neginhal |isbn=9789350671733 |page=133}}</ref> However, according to historical references, ''Prosopis cineraria'' is known as the ''Banni mara'',<ref name="MYSOREDASARA">{{cite book |author=S. Sivapriyananda |title=Mysore Royal Dasara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DVkyFvZL_qMC |year=1995 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |pages=51, 55}}</ref><ref name="MYSORE TRIBES">{{cite book |author1=L. Krishna Anantha Krishna Iyer (Diwan Bahadur) |author2=Nanjundayya Hebbalalu Velpanuru (Diwan Bahadur) |author3=H.V. Nanjundayya |title=The Mysore tribes and castes |year=1935 |publisher=Mysore University |page=68 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SmRnQEACAAJ&q=Mysore+tribes+and+castes+volume+2}}</ref><ref name="CAMPHOR">{{cite book |last=Fuller |first=Christopher John |title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and society in India |year=2004 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0691120485 |page=121 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Claus |first1=Peter |last2=Diamond |first2=Sarah |last3=Mills |first3=Margaret |title=South Asian Folklore: An encyclopedia |series=Special Reference |year=2003 |isbn=978-0415939195 |page=536 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC}}</ref><ref name="MYSORE CITY">{{cite book |author-last=Parsons |author-first=Constance |title=Mysore City |year=1930 |editor-last=Milford |editor-first=Humphery |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/MysoreCity1930/page/n255 184] |url=https://archive.org/details/MysoreCity1930}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society |journal=Mythic Society |year=1941 |volume=32 |issue=1 |page=309 |url=https://archive.org/details/TheQuarterlyJournalOfTheMythicSociety}}</ref><ref name="BANNIMANTAP">{{cite news |last=Milton |first=Lawrence |title=Why Dasara procession culminates at Bannimantap |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/Why-Dasara-procession-culminates-at-Bannimantap/articleshow/16897375.cms |newspaper=Times of India}}</ref><ref name="CASTES AND TRIBES">{{cite book |author1=Thurston, Edgar |author2=K. Rangachari |title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India |url=https://archive.org/details/castestribesofso01thuruoft |year=1909 |page=[https://archive.org/details/castestribesofso01thuruoft/page/147 147]|publisher=Madras Government Press }}</ref> and holds a special place in the Mysore Dasara, where its worshipped on the Vijay-dashami day.<ref name="MYSOREDASARA" /><ref name="MYSORE TRIBES" /><ref name="CAMPHOR" /><ref name="MYSORE CITY" /><ref name="BANNIMANTAP" /><ref>{{cite book |author=Smaranananda Swami |title=Prabuddha Bharata: Or awakened India |year=2001 |volume=106 |page=49 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tLkoAAAAYAAJ&q=mysore+dasara+prabuddha}}</ref><ref name="PRABUDDHA BHARATA">{{cite web |author=Bharata Prabuddha |title=Mysore Dasara - a living tradition |url=http://www.esamskriti.com/html/inside.asp?cat=441&subcat=440&cname=mysodasa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307104723/http://www.esamskriti.com/html/inside.asp?cat=441&subcat=440&cname=mysodasa |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-03-07 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>


In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent their thirteenth year of exile in disguise in the kingdom of Virata. Before going to Virata, they hung their celestial weapons in this tree for safekeeping for a year. When they returned after a year, they found their weapons safe in the branches of the Shami tree. Before taking the weapons, they worshipped the tree and thanked it for keeping their weapons safe.<ref name="SACRED PLANTS OF INDIA">{{cite book |author1=Krishna Nanditha |author2=M. Amirthalingam |title=Sacred Plants of India |year=2014 |publisher=Penguin books India |isbn=9780143066262 |pages=171–175 |edition=1st}}</ref><ref name="MANEKA" /><ref name="CASTES AND TRIBES" /><ref name="MYSOREDASARA"/><ref name="BANNIMANTAP" /><ref name="PRABUDDHA BHARATA" />
In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent their thirteenth year of exile in disguise in the kingdom of Virata. Before going to Virata, they hung their celestial weapons in this tree for safekeeping for a year. When they returned after a year, they found their weapons safe in the branches of the Shami tree. Before taking the weapons, they worshipped the tree and thanked it for keeping their weapons safe.<ref name="SACRED PLANTS OF INDIA">{{cite book |author1=Krishna Nanditha |author2=M. Amirthalingam |title=Sacred Plants of India |year=2014 |publisher=Penguin books India |isbn=9780143066262 |pages=171–175 |edition=1st}}</ref><ref name="MANEKA" /><ref name="CASTES AND TRIBES" /><ref name="MYSOREDASARA"/><ref name="BANNIMANTAP" /><ref name="PRABUDDHA BHARATA" />{{excessive citations inline|date=June 2023}}


==Culinary uses==
==Culinary uses==
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File:Singhrian ji Bhaaji.jpg|alt=Singhrian ji Bhaaji prepared in Tanay:The Great, Sindh|''Singhrian ji [[Curry|Bhaaji]]'' prepared in [[Tharparkar]], [[Sindh]]
File:Singhrian ji Bhaaji.jpg|alt=Singhrian ji Bhaaji prepared in Tanay:The Great, Sindh|''Singhrian ji [[Curry|Bhaaji]]'' prepared in [[Tharparkar]], [[Sindh]]
File:Singhrian jo Raabro(Khaatiyo).jpg|alt=Popular Thari dish Singhrian jo Raabro(Khaatiyo)|Popular [[Tharparkar|Thari]] dish ''Singhrian jo [[Kadhi|Raabro (Khaatiyo)]]''
File:Singhrian jo Raabro(Khaatiyo).jpg|alt=Popular Thari dish Singhrian jo Raabro(Khaatiyo)|Popular [[Tharparkar|Thari]] dish ''Singhrian jo [[Kadhi|Raabro (Khaatiyo)]]''
</gallery>
⚫
</gallery>In [[Thar Desert|Thar desert]] the Singhri or Sangri pods growing on ''Prosopis cineraria'' is used in various types of [[Curry|Bhaaji]] and [[Kadhi]]. Singhri is one of the traditional [[Cuisine|cuisines]] of the Thar Desert<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/money-matters/118413-Bountiful-desert|title=Bountiful desert|last=Khaskheli|first=Jan|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref>

⚫
In [[Thar Desert]] the singhri or sangri pods growing on ''Prosopis cineraria'' are used in various types of [[Curry|bhaaji]] and [[kadhi]]. Singhri is one of the traditional [[cuisine]]s of the Thar Desert.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/money-matters/118413-Bountiful-desert|title=Bountiful desert|last=Khaskheli|first=Jan|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref>


==Medical use==
==Medical use==
Extract from unripe fruit pods of the plant was shown to ameliorate artificially-induced damage to testes in an animal model.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ramalingam S |first1=Logeshwaran |last2=Vellapandian |first2=Chitra |last3=R Vetrivelan |first3=Venkataramanan |last4=Sukumaran |first4=Evelyn Sharon |title=Un-riped[sic] fruit pods of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ameliorates Cisplatin therapy-induced partial testicular atrophy in male Wistar rats |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |date=October 2020 |volume=261 |pages=113070 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2020.113070 |pmid=32585233 |s2cid=220075154 }}</ref>
Extract from unripe fruit pods of the plant was shown to ameliorate artificially-induced damage to testes in an animal model.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ramalingam S |first1=Logeshwaran |last2=Vellapandian |first2=Chitra |last3=R Vetrivelan |first3=Venkataramanan |last4=Sukumaran |first4=Evelyn Sharon |title=Un-riped[sic] fruit pods of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ameliorates Cisplatin therapy-induced partial testicular atrophy in male Wistar rats |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |date=October 2020 |volume=261 |pages=113070 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2020.113070 |pmid=32585233 |s2cid=220075154 }}</ref>
Leaves of this tree can ameliorate mouth ulcers. By chewing it's leaves for few minutes and letting the juice of leaves in the mouth, remedies the ulcers. The swelling comes down significantly. Afterwards spit the juice out and brush ur teeth.
Leaves of this tree can ameliorate mouth ulcers. Chewing its leaves for a few minutes, so releasing the juice of the leaves in the mouth can relieve the ulcers. The swelling comes down significantly. The juice is then spat out, rather than swallowed.<ref name="Upadhya2022">{{cite book |last1=Upadhya |first1=Tarun Kumar |last2=7 others |first2=and |title=Medicinal Plants |date=2022 |publisher=Taylor and Francis, Apple Academic Press |isbn=9781003277408 |pages=15 |edition=1st |chapter=Prosopis Cineraria (Khejri): Ethanopharmacology and Phytochemistry}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020928/windows/main2.htm The wonders of the ‘wonder tree’], ''Tribune India''
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020928/windows/main2.htm The wonders of the ‘wonder tree’], ''Tribune India''
* [http://www.goumbook.com/give-a-ghaf Meet the Ghaf Tree]
* [http://www.goumbook.com/give-a-ghaf Meet the Ghaf Tree]


{{Taxonbar|from=Q1136117}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1136117}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Prosopis|cineraria]]
[[Category:Prosopis|cineraria]]

Latest revision as of 01:10, 22 November 2024

Prosopis cineraria
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: Prosopis
Species:
P. cineraria
Binomial name
Prosopis cineraria
(L.) Druce
Synonyms

Adenanthera aculeata Roxb.[1]
Mimosa cineraria L.
Prosopis spicigera L.[2]
Prosopis spicata Burm.[1]

Prosopis cineraria, also known as Persian mesquite or ghaf, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to arid portions of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Its leaves are bipinnate. It can survive extreme drought. It is an established introduced species in parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.[dead link‍][1]

The ghaf is the national tree of the United Arab Emirates. Through the Give a Ghaf campaign its citizens are urged to plant it in their gardens to combat desertification and preserve their country's heritage.[3] The desert village of Nazwa in the UAE is home to the Al Ghaf Conservation Reserve.[4]

Prosopis cineraria is also the state tree of Rajasthan (where it is known as khejri), Western Uttar Pradesh (where it is known as chhonkara) and Telangana (where it is known as jammi[5]) in India. A large and well-known example of the species is the Tree of Life in Bahrain; it is approximately 400 years old and growing in a desert devoid of any obvious sources of water.

In 1730 AD, the village of Khejarli near Jodhpur in Rajasthan was the scene of a violent environmental confrontation. Amrita Devi and her three young daughters gave their lives in an attempt to protect some khejri trees which Maharaja Abhay Singh had ordered cut to make way for his new palace. This led to widespread defiance in which 363 people were killed trying to save the trees. In the 1970s, the memory of this sacrifice led to the start of the Chipko movement.[6]

Description

[edit]
Branch

P. cineraria is a small tree, ranging in height from 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft). The leaves are bipinnate, with seven to fourteen leaflets on each of one to three pinnae. Branches are thorned along the internodes. Flowers are small and creamy-yellow and followed by seeds in pods. The tree is found in extremely arid conditions, with rainfall as low as 15 cm (5.9 in) annually; but is indicative of the presence of a deep water table. As with some other Prosopis spp., P. cineraria has demonstrated a tolerance of highly alkaline and saline environments.[7]

The tree should not be confused with the similar-looking Chinese lantern tree, Dichrostachys cinerea. They can be told apart by the flowers. While the Chinese lantern tree has bicolored pink-yellow flowers, the true Shami tree has yellow-colored bristled flowers only, like most other mesquites.[citation needed]

Religious significance

[edit]

This tree is highly revered among Hindus and worshipped as part of Dusshera festival.[8] This tree takes importance during the tenth day of the Dasara Festival when it is celebrated in various parts of India. Historically, among the Rajputs, the ranas – who were the high priest and the king – used to conduct the worship and then to liberate a jay which was the sacred bird of Lord Rama.[9]: 29–30 [10] In the Deccan, as part of the tenth-day ritual of Dussahera, the marathas used to shoot arrows onto the crown of the tree and gather the falling leaves into their turbans.[9]: 36–37 [10]

The tree is known by different names across the western and northern regions of India, e.g. shami in Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra & Uttar Pradesh, jammi in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, khijro in Gujarat, khejri in Rajasthan, janti in Haryana, and jand in the Punjab.[citation needed]

In Karnataka, Acacia ferruginea has also been locally referred to as Banni mara instead of the accepted Khejri tree, and accepted as the tree where the Pandavas hid their weapons during exile.[11] There are also some unconfirmed references which consider Acacia ferruginea as the tree which is revered and worshipped on Vijay Dashami day.[12] However, according to historical references, Prosopis cineraria is known as the Banni mara,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] and holds a special place in the Mysore Dasara, where its worshipped on the Vijay-dashami day.[13][14][15][17][19][21][22]

In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent their thirteenth year of exile in disguise in the kingdom of Virata. Before going to Virata, they hung their celestial weapons in this tree for safekeeping for a year. When they returned after a year, they found their weapons safe in the branches of the Shami tree. Before taking the weapons, they worshipped the tree and thanked it for keeping their weapons safe.[23][10][20][13][19][22][excessive citations]

Culinary uses

[edit]

In Thar Desert the singhri or sangri pods growing on Prosopis cineraria are used in various types of bhaaji and kadhi. Singhri is one of the traditional cuisines of the Thar Desert.[24]

Medical use

[edit]

Extract from unripe fruit pods of the plant was shown to ameliorate artificially-induced damage to testes in an animal model.[25] Leaves of this tree can ameliorate mouth ulcers. Chewing its leaves for a few minutes, so releasing the juice of the leaves in the mouth can relieve the ulcers. The swelling comes down significantly. The juice is then spat out, rather than swallowed.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce". Catalogue of Life. Integrated Taxonomic Information System and Species2000. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Prosopis cineraria". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  3. ^ Philp, Myra (17 June 2013). "UAE groups help to save ghaf trees on UN 'Combat Desertification Day'". 7DAYS in Dubai. Al Sidra Media. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Six natural reserves declared in Dubai". The National. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  5. ^ "What's common to jinka, paalapitta, jammi chettu and thangedu puvvu?". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Khejri, the tree that inspired Chipko movement, is dying a slow death". 4 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce". Tropical Forages. Centre for International Agriculture Research and Food and Agriculture Agency. 2005. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  8. ^ Edwards, S.M. (March 1922). "Tree-worship in India". Empire Forestry Journal. 1 (1): 78–86. JSTOR 42594479.
  9. ^ a b Crooke, W. (1915). "The Dasahra: An Autumn festival of Hindus". Folklore. 26 (1): 28–59. doi:10.1080/0015587X.1915.9719701.
  10. ^ a b c Gandhi, Maneka; Singh, Yasmeen (1989). Brahma's hair – Mythology of Indian plants. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. pp. 29–32. ISBN 978-81-7167-005-5.
  11. ^ Babu N.M. Ganesh (2 May 2017). "Tree that hid Pandavas' weapons when they were in exile". The New Indian Express.
  12. ^ S.G. Neginhal (2011). Forest Trees of the Western Ghats. S.G. Neginhal. p. 133. ISBN 9789350671733.
  13. ^ a b c S. Sivapriyananda (1995). Mysore Royal Dasara. Abhinav Publications. pp. 51, 55.
  14. ^ a b L. Krishna Anantha Krishna Iyer (Diwan Bahadur); Nanjundayya Hebbalalu Velpanuru (Diwan Bahadur); H.V. Nanjundayya (1935). The Mysore tribes and castes. Mysore University. p. 68.
  15. ^ a b Fuller, Christopher John (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and society in India. Princeton University Press. p. 121. ISBN 978-0691120485.
  16. ^ Claus, Peter; Diamond, Sarah; Mills, Margaret (2003). South Asian Folklore: An encyclopedia. Special Reference. p. 536. ISBN 978-0415939195.
  17. ^ a b Parsons, Constance (1930). Milford, Humphery (ed.). Mysore City. Oxford University Press. p. 184.
  18. ^ "Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society". Mythic Society. 32 (1): 309. 1941.
  19. ^ a b c Milton, Lawrence. "Why Dasara procession culminates at Bannimantap". Times of India.
  20. ^ a b Thurston, Edgar; K. Rangachari (1909). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Madras Government Press. p. 147.
  21. ^ Smaranananda Swami (2001). Prabuddha Bharata: Or awakened India. Vol. 106. p. 49.
  22. ^ a b Bharata Prabuddha. "Mysore Dasara - a living tradition". Archived from the original on 7 March 2007.
  23. ^ Krishna Nanditha; M. Amirthalingam (2014). Sacred Plants of India (1st ed.). Penguin books India. pp. 171–175. ISBN 9780143066262.
  24. ^ Khaskheli, Jan. "Bountiful desert". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  25. ^ Ramalingam S, Logeshwaran; Vellapandian, Chitra; R Vetrivelan, Venkataramanan; Sukumaran, Evelyn Sharon (October 2020). "Un-riped[sic] fruit pods of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ameliorates Cisplatin therapy-induced partial testicular atrophy in male Wistar rats". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 261: 113070. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113070. PMID 32585233. S2CID 220075154.
  26. ^ Upadhya, Tarun Kumar; 7 others, and (2022). "Prosopis Cineraria (Khejri): Ethanopharmacology and Phytochemistry". Medicinal Plants (1st ed.). Taylor and Francis, Apple Academic Press. p. 15. ISBN 9781003277408.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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