Vachellia farnesiana

sweet acacia

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

8-20 ft tall by 6-10 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Thorns, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Good for barrier shrub and as wildlife thicket, also nice as specimen.

Considerations:

Thorns on trunks and branches. Place where flowers and fragrance can be enjoyed, but away from walkways. Can suffer from root rot if too wet.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Suitable to Grow In:

8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds, Mammals

Attracts pollinators and uses ants both for protection against unwanted insects.

The thorny branches make good cover for birds and other wildlife. Fruits are not generally valued. Attracts pollinators.





There are 2 subspecies, V. farnesiana var. farnesiana and V. farnesiana var. pinetorum.  Var. pinetorum is rare.  It is also smaller.





There is a very rare species, Vachellia macranthera , occasionally cultivated.  It occurs rarely in extreme south Florida and has been found as a likely storm-deposited waif in a couple of areas on the west coast of FL.   If you have it, enjoy it.  Culture should be similar to V. farnesiana.

Native Habitats:

Coastal uplands, ruderal, shell middens