White Thorn, Mescat Acacia


Scientific Name: Vachellia constricta (Benth.)Seigler & Ebinger[
Synonym: Acacia constricta
Family: Fabaceae
White Thorn, Mescat Acacia(Vachellia constricta)
Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 10-24
USDA: 8-11

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 15°F (-9°C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Southwestern USA (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), Mexico (Chihuahua and Sonora, down to Oaxaca)

Growth Habits: Large shrub or small tree, spreading, 8 to 15 feet tall (2.4-4.5 m), 10 feet in spread (3 m); straight, 2 white spines, 0.25 to 1.5 inches long (6-37 mm) at the bottom of each leaf petiole, sometimes missing; fern-like alternate bi-pinnate leaves, up to 2 inches long (5 cm), 0.5 to 1 inch wide (12-25 mm), 3 to 7 pairs of pinnae, each with 5 to 16 pairs of leaflets

Watering Needs: Little water in Phoenix when established, no water in most other places

Propagation: Seeds (need scarification)

White Thorn, Mescat Acacia(Vachellia constricta)
U.S.D.A. Drawing, courtesy Hunt Institute

The species name "constricta" just means "constricted".

Blooming Habits:
The White Thorn Acacia bears fragrant yellow balls in late spring, and occasionally during the summer and autumn. They are followed by reddish brown legumes, 2 to 5 inches long (5-12 cm), constricted between the seeds.


 

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