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White Thorn Acacia

Vachellia constricta

Other common name(s):

Whitethorn Acacia, White-thorn Acacia, Mescat Acacia, Mescat Wattle, Whitethorn, Vara Prieta, Chaparro Prieto

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

7
to
10
ft.

Spread

4
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Limestone, Caliche

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Propagation: Seed, Root division.

Comments

Blooms May-August. Tall bush to small multitrunked tree, with small, yellow-orange balls of fragrant flowers and finely segmented, leaves which fall off during dry seasons. Long spines on older growth. 2-4 in. bean pods ripen to bright red. Whitethorn, is found in the wild without thorns, so a thornless selection is possible. In nature it is found along washes, on slopes and mesas from 2,000-6,500 ft.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Acacia constricta, Acacia constricta var. constricta, Acacia constricta var. paucispina

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VACO9. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11895&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Vachellia+constricta&formsubmit=Search+Terms, 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=819938#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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