Sweet Acacia
(Vachellia farnesiana)
Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)
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Forest and Kim Starr
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Forest and Kim Starr
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Vachellia farnesiana, commonly known as Sweet Acacia, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the legume family, native to a variety of habitats including tropical plains, deserts, and dry forests in the Americas and the Caribbean. It typically reaches a height of 15–30 feet (4.6–9.1 m) and can develop multiple trunks. The plant is armed with pairs of sharp thorns at the base of each leaf, which can be a deterrent to browsing by animals. Sweet Acacia is renowned for its fragrant yellow puffball flowers, which bloom intermittently throughout the year, with peak flowering in the spring. These flowers are highly valued in the perfume industry for their sweet scent. The species also produces seed pods that are typical of legumes.
Sweet Acacia offers the notable benefit of being extremely drought-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for xeriscaping, particularly in regions like Texas. It is also used for ornamental purposes due to its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. In cultivation, Sweet Acacia thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established, preferring well-drained soils. It is a low-maintenance plant that can be used as a specimen tree, for screening, or as part of a mixed shrub border. However, gardeners should be aware that Vachellia farnesiana can become invasive outside its native range and should be planted with caution. It is also susceptible to pests such as aphids and can suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Sweet Acacia offers the notable benefit of being extremely drought-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for xeriscaping, particularly in regions like Texas. It is also used for ornamental purposes due to its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. In cultivation, Sweet Acacia thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established, preferring well-drained soils. It is a low-maintenance plant that can be used as a specimen tree, for screening, or as part of a mixed shrub border. However, gardeners should be aware that Vachellia farnesiana can become invasive outside its native range and should be planted with caution. It is also susceptible to pests such as aphids and can suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 15-20 feet
- Width: 15-20 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fragrant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to tropical plains, deserts, and dry forests in the Americas and the Caribbean
Other Names
Common Names: Cassie, Huisache, Needle Bush, Mimosa-Bush, Scented Wattle, Fragrant Acacia, Ellington-Curse, Sweet Wattle, Prickly Mimosa-Bush, Prickly Moses
Scientific Names: , Acacia farnesiana, Vachellia farnesiana, Mimosa indica, Mimosa farnesiana, Acacia farnesiana var. farnesiana, Acacia minuta subsp. minuta, Farnesiana odora, Mimosa scorpioides, Popanax farnesiana
GBIF Accepted Name: Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Wight & Arn.