Texas Wildbuds
Vachellia constricta
(Whitethorn Acacia)
Vachellia constricta, Hwy 118, Big Bend National Park 3934
Vachellia constricta, Hwy 118, Big Bend National Park 3929
Vachellia constricta, Hwy 118, Big Bend National Park 3942
| Scientific Name | Vachellia constricta (Acacia constricta) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ACCO2 |
| Common Name | Whitethorn Acacia | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 819938 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert enviromment along washes, on slopes and mesas, desert scrub areas, from 2,000-6,500 ft. Plant: Woody bush 3 to 10 feet high, reddish stems armed with pairs of whitish spines at leave nodes, 3/8 to 1-1/8 inches long. Leaves: Bi-pinnate compound leaves, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches long overall with 3 to 9 pairs of pinnae, each with several to many small (3/16-inch long or less) oblong or linear leaflets; deciduous. Inflorescence: Fragrant, bright yellow flowers in ball-shaped heads about 3/8 inch in diameter on peduncles up to about 1-1/4 inches long. Bloom Period: April to June, or later following rains in drought years. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, SEINet and "Ecology of Two Acacia Species in Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland" by Ishaque, Beck and Steiner. Note: Closely resembles V. vernicosa but this species has a higher number of pinnae (3 to 9 pairs) per leaf. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025