India, Oct. 18 -- Mesquite was introduced as an environmental aid because it offered an alternative to firewood, helped stabilize soil, and supported the restoration of degraded land. However, its rapid growth has allowed it to spread aggressively in many places where it was planted. The resulting thickets can displace native vegetation and reduce grazing areas, while the tree's pollen, thorns, and potential effects on mosquito populations pose additional health concerns.

A 2020 review in Plants, titled Invasive Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), an Allergy and Health Challenge, examines these risks. The paper describes how Prosopis juliflora reached Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s for soil and water conservation and was planted near Lake Ba...