Description
Form: Tree.
Lifespan: Less than 50 years.
Leaf retention: Evergreen except cold-deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 15-35' (4.5-10.7m) high and wide.
Flowers: Orange to yellow puff-balls, about 1/2" (12mm) in diameter, abundant, sweetly fragrant. The pollen may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.
Bloom: Late fall through spring.
Fruit: A dark brown, tubular bean pod.
Leaves: Tiny, oval, green leaflets. This tree provides light filtered shade.
Stems: Paired spines at nodes of slightly zig-zag branches.
Roots: Nitrogen-fixing*. This plant suckers from the roots and can form dense thickets.
Wildlife: The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Mammals, including deer, javelina and cattle, eat the bean pods.
Toxic / Danger: Sharp spines. The beans are non-toxic to humans but toxic to dogs.
Origin: California to Georgia, Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 9-11.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun. This tree is shade intolerant.
Soil: Well draining, dry, low in organic content, pH 6.1-8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline). This tree has high salt tolerance. *Do not use a nitrogen fertilizer.
Water once established: Monthly. This tree can suffer from root rot in overly wet soil.
Prune: Lightly, in winter. This tree flowers on old wood, so pruning will reduce flowering.
Litter: Seed pods, leaves.
Propagation: Scarified seed.
Pests: This plant can be prone to mistletoe infection if given insufficient water.
Uses: Ornamental, low water (xeriscape) garden, fragrance garden. Because of sharp spines, this tree should be kept away from walkways. The flowers are used to make Cassie Flower perfume in Europe.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Legume family (Fabaceae). Its scientific synonym is Acacia farnesiana. It is widespread throughout the Americas and its appearance varies with the local climate.
Vachellia farnesiana differs from Vachellia constricta in that it has a more definite, and larger, central trunk when multiple trunks develop. The bean pods are tubular rather than flattened, and shorter and dark brown rather than long and reddish tan.

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