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Milky Way and algarrobo tree

© Stéphane Guisard, Los Cielos de América

Milky Way and algarrobo tree. Algarrobo tree is a Prosopis, a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. It contains around 45 species of spiny trees and shrubs found in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Western Asia, and South Asia. They often thrive in arid soil and are resistant to drought, on occasion developing extremely deep root systems. Their wood is usually hard, dense and durable. Their fruits are pods and may contain large amounts of sugar. The generic name means "burdock" in late Latin and originated in the Greek language. This image was taken near San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama desert.