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whitethorn acacia
Scientific Name: Acacia constricta
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Tree, Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Vachellia constricta: The Whitethorn Acacia
Vachellia constricta, commonly known as whitethorn acacia, is a fascinating plant native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States.
Considerations for Pets
- This acacia has thorns.
- It produces bean pods as a legume.
Considerations for Children
- This acacia has thorns.
- It produces bean pods as a legume.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Vachellia constricta (formerly Acacia constricta)
- Common Names: Whitethorn acacia, White-thorn acacia, Mescat acacia, Mescat wattle, Whitethorn, All-thorn Acacia, Mescat False Acacia, Twinthorn
- Family: Fabaceae (also known as Leguminosae or the Pea family)
- Synonyms: Acacia constricta Benth.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It also has a disjunct eastern population.
- Common in the warmer deserts (Sonoran and California) of North America.
- Often found in the Sonoran desert, typically growing to 6 feet tall, but occasionally over 12 feet.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Typically an upright, woody, semi-evergreen shrub with multiple trunks.
- Can vary in size from a medium shrub to a small tree. It usually remains a shrub in its natural environment, only reaching tree size with additional rainfall.
- Has legume-type leaves made up of three to nine pairs of leaflets.
- Produces simple, dry, bean-bearing pods.
- Some varieties are found without thorns.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- May hybridize with viscid acacia (A. neovernicosa), although the likelihood is limited.
- Buprestid beetles (metallic wood-boring beetles) are often associated with this acacia.
Additional Information
- Prized for its usefulness as a low-maintenance barrier or buffer plant.