PROSOPIS CINERARIA (L.) DRUCE: A BOON PLANT OF DESERT- AN OVERVIEW

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is a deep rooted, nitrogen fixing, multipurpose tree endemic to the hot deserts of India. The tree is known locally as Jandi or Khejri (India), Jand (Pakistan), and Ghaf (Arabic). Its synonym is P. spicigera . These trees are the essential component of the agroforestry land use system in these parts of India. It belongs to the family Leguminosae and subfamily Mimosoideae. The leaves are good fodder for camels, goats and donkeys. The pods are used as a vegetable. Sangri - green pods – are boiled and dried. The flowers are useful for honey production. Khejri is also used for soil improvement and sand dune stabilization. The wood is ideal for domestic heating. The bark of the tree has abortifacient and laxative properties. Khejri is reputed for the treatment of asthma and worm. The present review is therefore, an effort to give a detailed survey of the literature on its botanical details, phytochemical reports, pharmacological reports and therapeutic importance.