Hawaiian Name: Kiawe Common Name: Algaroba, mesquite Scientific Name: Prosopis pallida Kiawe grows as a shrub or tree reaching eight to 60 feet. It overshadows other vegetation and its deep root system taps ground water and dries up the surrounding plants. It has thorny branches and leaves with many tiny leaflets. The flowers are 3 to 4 inches, with yellow flower spikes and peapod-like fruits. The trees were used for reforesting the dry island of Kahoolawe. It is said that the parent of all Hawaiian kiawe grew from a seed brought from the Royal Gardens in Paris, and planted in 1828 by Father Bachelot at the Catholic Mission on Fort Street in Honolulu, Oahu.