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" (1.25cm) in diameter, sweetly
fragrant, abundant. The pollen may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.
Bloom: Late fall through spring.
Fruit: A dark brown, tubular bean pod. The seeds are non-toxic to humans but
toxic to dogs.
Leaves: Tiny, oval, green, compound. Provides light filtered shade.
Stems: Paired thorns at nodes of slightly zig-zag branches.
Roots: Nitrogen-fixing*.
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and bees. Deer, javelina and cattle eat the
seedpods.
Toxic / Danger: Thorns.
Origin: California to Georgia, Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the
Caribbean.
Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8b-11 or 9b-11 depending on the source of the seed from
which the plant sprouted.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun. This tree is shade intolerant.
Water once established: Monthly.
Soil: Well drained, dry, low in organic content, pH 6.1-8.5 (slightly acidic to
alkaline). This tree has good saline tolerance. *Do not use a nitrogen fertilizer.
Prune: In winter. This tree flowers on old wood, so pruning will reduce
flowering.
Litter: Seed pods, leaves.
Propagation: Seed.
Pests: Can be prone to
mistletoe infection if
given insufficient water.
Uses: Ornamental, xeric garden.
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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