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| young leaf | mature leaves |
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| habit--mesquite usually branches extensively from the base | thorns and young leaves |
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| the thorns of mesquite are paired at each node | the roadsides of Texas can be littered with dead mesquite branches like this, so be careful where you step! |
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| cluster of inflorescences--mesquite is a mimosoid legume in which the receptacle is elongated such that it does not have the "pom-pon" inflorescence typical of other mimosoid legumes | part of an inflorescence closeup, showing individual flowers--notice that the stamens are the showiest part of these flowers |
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| fruits--what kind of fruit what this be? | fruits closeup--meal can be made from the seeds of mesquite |
