Geoffroea decorticans aka Chanar

Geoffroea decorticans, or chañar, is a shrub or small tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Its native range spans Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. It grows in dry forests, reaching sites at 9,840 feet [3,000 metres] above sea level. People gather wild plants for food, medicine and useful materials. Some also grow it as an ornamental tree. Useful Tropical Plants reports a Least Concern assessment from 2013.

The tree sheds its leaves and bears spines. Its growth rate is moderate. The listed height is about 33 feet [10 metres], though trees can reach 39 feet [12 metres]. A dense, rounded crown can spread 26 feet [8 metres]. The trunk can reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. Bark peels away and leaves patterns on the trunk. Roots send up shoots several metres from the parent. These shoots can build dense thickets, so spread matters when choosing a site.

Trees can bear a large crop of flowers. Bees and other insects pollinate them, and the species is not self-fertile. The fleshy fruits are round to egg-shaped, about 1.4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Their pulp has a high sugar content and a slightly sour taste. The fruit was a staple food near San Pedro de Atacama. People crush and boil it into arrope, a thick syrup served with cheese and pastries. In Chile's Atacama region, people also grind stored fruit into drinks.

Chañar suits warm tropical and subtropical regions. It grows best where mean yearly temperatures fall between 20 and 26°C. Roots can reach underground water, helping it endure a year or more without rain. It also grows in places with much higher rainfall. Good drainage is its main stated soil need. It accepts many soil types, including salty soils, and is described as easy to grow. It tolerates some frost, with brief survival reported at −14°C. That limit does not make it a tree for cold climates.

Its patterned bark and rounded crown give it garden value. Root shoots can also make it weedy. Traditional remedies use bark for coughs and colds, and leaves for asthma and soothing preparations. These are reported uses, not proof of treatment benefits. Bark has supplied dye for cloth and wool. Seed oil and woody husks show promise as fuel sources. The source lists no known hazards, but gives no pet-specific safety evidence.