SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 331.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "331" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

catclaw acacia

Scientific Name: Acacia greggii var. wrightii

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Catclaw Acacia: A Southwestern Native

Catclaw Acacia (Acacia greggii) is a fascinating plant native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It's known by a variety of common names, including catclaw mesquite, Gregg's catclaw, devil's claw, paradise flower, wait-a-minute tree, wait-a-bit tree, Gregg acacia, Gregg's acacia, Texas catclaw acacia, Texas mimosa, and ua de gato. The names "wait-a-minute" and "wait-a-bit" allude to the plant's characteristic thorns that tend to snag passersby.

Considerations for Pets

  • Catclaw Acacia is characterized by curved thorns.
  • The plant produces bean-bearing pods.

Considerations for Children

  • Catclaw Acacia is characterized by curved thorns.
  • The plant produces bean-bearing pods.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acacia greggii A. Gray
  • Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae, Pea Family)
  • Synonym: Senegalia greggii (A. Gray) Britton & Rose. Note that some sources consider Acacia greggii var. greggii an inactive taxon concept, replaced by Senegalia greggii greggii.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
  • Common in the high desert.

Ecological Role

  • It is noted that the plant is effective for border patrol.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a small desert tree or large shrub, typically growing to 6 to 25 feet tall depending on water availability.
  • Can grow to 10 m (33 ft) tall with a trunk up to 20–30 cm (7.9–12 in) diameter.
  • Characterized by small curved thorns.
  • Grey-green leaves are described as fern-like and finely-divided, bipinnate, dark grey-green.
  • Produces yellow to cream, oblong, puff-ball flowers that are quite fragrant.
  • Produces simple, dry, bean-bearing pods.

Quirky Facts

  • The thorns are so effective at catching on clothing or skin that it's often called the "wait-a-minute bush" because you'll need to pause to disentangle yourself.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Seeds are known to attract animals.

Further Information

  • Arid Zone Trees, P. O. Box 167, Queen Creek, AZ 85242, Phone 480-987-9094 e -mail: info@aridzonetrees.com