Whitethorn Acacia (Acacia constricta)
Description: A 9-15 ft., multi-trunked tree with small, yellow-orange balls of fragrant flowers and finely segmented, pinnate leaves which fall off during dry seasons. Long spines on older growth. 2-4 in. beans ripen to bright red. Winter branches are purplish-colored. Mescat Wattle, or Whitethorn, is found in the wild without thorns, so a thornless selection is possible.
Family: Fabaceae
Synonym(s): Whitethorn acacia, White-thorn acacia, Mescat acacia, Mescat wattle, Whitethorn, Vara Prieta, Chaparro Prieto
USDA Symbol: VACO9
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 6-12 ft., 12-36 ft.
Bloom Color: White, Yellow, Purple
Bloom Time: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Water Use: Low
Light Requirements: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes: Whitethorn is found in the wild without thorns, so a thornless selection is possible. Form is variable.
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.
