Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)

   

Sweet Acacia in bloom, University of Texas at El Paso campus. Photograph by A. H. Harris

• Common English Names: Sweet Acacia, Small's Acacia
• Common Spanish Names: Huisache Dulce
• Scientific Name: Vachellia farnesiana (vuh-KELL-lee-uh far-neez-ee-ANN-uh)
• Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family)
• Geographic Range: Tropical America north through Mexico into southern and southwestern Texas to eastern Big Bend, southern Arizona, and California.
• Plant Form: Large multi-stemmed shrub to small tree, 10' to 30' high.
• Remarks: Tropical species; very fragrant golden-yellow flowers appear before leaves in spring; paired white thorns persist on old wood.
• Landscape Use: Commercially available small flowering tree. Lacy foliage provides filtered, diffused shade; requires full sun, moderate water; moderately hardy to high teens and tolerates a wide soil range, including poor drainage.
• Notes: Formerly known as Acacia farnesiana, Acacia smallii, Acacia minuta.
• Ethnobotany: Taken from tropical America to Europe in the 16th century; floral extracts from this plant became an important element in the development of the French and Italian perfume industry.

Last Update: 10 Sep 2013