Prosopis Cineraria, Shami - 0.5 kg Seeds

Khejri or Shami (Prosopis cineraria), the state tree of Rajasthan, is the keystone tree of the Thar Desert and arid north-west India. A slow-growing, thorny, small-to-medium tree with feathery foliage and a light crown, it is revered both ecologically and culturally (the sacred Shami of folklore and festivals). Above all it is the backbone of desert agroforestry, growing scattered through farmland where its deep roots fix nitrogen and improve soil without heavily shading crops.

Its pods (sangri) are a prized dried vegetable, the foliage (loong) is valuable fodder, and the wood is excellent fuel and used for tools and small construction. Extraordinarily drought- and heat-tolerant, it survives where almost nothing else does and is central to combating desertification.

• Family: Fabaceae (Mimosoideae)
• Native region: Arid north-west India and the Thar Desert
• Mature height: 5-10 m
• Growth rate: Slow

The hard-coated seeds need pre-treatment: pour hot water over them and soak overnight, or nick the coat, to break dormancy. Sow about 1-2 cm deep in sandy, well-drained nursery soil in full sun; germination usually follows in 1-2 weeks. Raise seedlings in deep bags to protect the long taproot and transplant young at the start of the rains.