Vachellia farnesiana (Sweet Acacia)

Growth habit: Shrub (Source: USDA Plants)

Duration (Annual/Perennial): Perennial (Source: USDA Plants)

Family: Fabaceae

Bloom Color: Orange , Yellow (Source: wildflower.org)

Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr (Source: wildflower.org)

USA: AL , AZ , CA , FL , GA , LA , MS , NM , TX (Source: wildflower.org)

Native Distribution: Southern North America from southern California east to southern Florida, south through Mexico and Central America to northern South America. In Texas, mostly in central and south Texas. (Source: wildflower.org)

Water Use: Low (Source: wildflower.org)

Light Requirement: Sun (Source: wildflower.org)

Soil Moisture: Dry (Source: wildflower.org)

CaCO3 Tolerance: High (Source: wildflower.org)

Drought Tolerance: High (Source: wildflower.org)

Heat Tolerant: yes (Source: wildflower.org)

Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type (Source: wildflower.org)

Conditions Comments: Huisache can form dense thickets from suckers. It has small, fragrant, orange-yellow flowers cluster in globose heads. But blooms so early that buds are often ruined by frost in the northern parts of its range. Acacia beetles can girdle limbs up to 3 in. across. Alkaline tolerant. This beautiful tree casts a soft filtered light but be careful when planting it, because it has sharp, needle-like thorns on the trunk and branches. (Source: wildflower.org)

Features sweet-scented yellow puffball flowers that attract bees. Provides food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Previously classified as Acacia farnesiana.