Texas Wildbuds
Vachellia constricta
(Whitethorn Acacia)
No photos at this time
| 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 environment 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 "Acacias in the New Mexico Desert" by Ishaque, Beck and Pieper. 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