Acacia

Acacia is a very large genus of shrub and trees coming from all over the tropical world. There are a large number of acacias that grow remarkably well in the southwestern USA. They share a light, fine, foliage. The leaves are generally either bipinnate, or in many species the actual leaflets are gone, and the leaf looking structure is actual the modified leaf stalk and is called phyllode. A few don't even have phyllodes, and instead the stems have flat extensions named cladodes. The name acacia comes from the Greek for thorns, since a large number of species are thorny.

The flowers are small, but they are crowded in globular or finger shaped structures, looking like puffballs. They often come in large quantities at the end of the winter or early spring, and can be rather spectacular. They are followed by woody seed pods.

They can be propagated easily by seeds. The seeds generally needs some treatment to weaken the waterproof layer coating it. They can be dipped for 5 minutes in boiling water and then kept in warm water for a couple of days, or the glossy coating can be lightly sanded. It is also possible to propagate many of the acacias with semi-hardwood cuttings, although the species with phyllodes are generally easier. Most species grow rapidly if provided with adequate water and fertilizer, but many are short lived.

Species and varieties
Acacia amentacea (Blackbrush Acacia, Chaparro Prieto) synonym of Acacia rigidula
Acacia aneura (Mulga Acacia)
Acacia constricta (White Thorn, Mescat Acacia)
Acacia cultriformis (Knife Acacia, Knife Leaf Wattle)
Acacia farnesiana (Sweet Acacia)
Acacia flexicaulis (Texas Ebony) synonym of Pithecellobium flexicaule
Acacia greggii (Cat Claw Acacia, Texas Mimosa)
Acacia minuta ssp. densiflora (Sweet Acacia) synonym of Acacia farnesiana
Acacia ongerup (Desert Carpet (TM), Prostrate Acacia) synonym of Acacia redolens
Acacia redolens (Desert Carpet (TM), Prostrate Acacia)
Acacia rigidula (Blackbrush Acacia, Chaparro Prieto)
Acacia schaffneri (Twisted Acacia, Huizache Chino)
Acacia smallii (Sweet Acacia) synonym of Acacia farnesiana

© 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.