Acacia farnesiana var. farnesiana
Encyclopedia
Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana, Huisache or Sweet Acacia, is a species of shrub or small tree in the legume family, Fabaceae
. It is native to the Americas
, including the Southern United States
, Mexico
, and the Neotropics. V. f. var. farnesiana has been planted throughout the world, and is often considered a weed. The name huisache is derived from Nahuatl
and means "many thorns," as the base of each leaf is accompanied by a pair of thorns on the branch. It reaches a height of 15–30 ft (4.6–9.1 m) and grows multiple trunks. Deer
and peccaries
eat its fruit, various bird
s use the plant for nesting and cover, and insects eat the nectar from its flowers. If disturbed, Huisache will readily resprout. This drought
-tolerant species is often used in xeriscaping
.
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
. It is native to the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, including the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and the Neotropics. V. f. var. farnesiana has been planted throughout the world, and is often considered a weed. The name huisache is derived from Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
and means "many thorns," as the base of each leaf is accompanied by a pair of thorns on the branch. It reaches a height of 15–30 ft (4.6–9.1 m) and grows multiple trunks. Deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
and peccaries
Peccary
A peccary is a medium-sized mammal of the family Tayassuidae, or New World Pigs. Peccaries are members of the artiodactyl suborder Suina, as are the pig family and possibly the hippopotamus family...
eat its fruit, various bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s use the plant for nesting and cover, and insects eat the nectar from its flowers. If disturbed, Huisache will readily resprout. This drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
-tolerant species is often used in xeriscaping
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping and xerogardening refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation...
.
External links
- Native Plants of South Texas: Sweet Acacia (Acacia farnesiana)
- Acacia smallii: University of ArizonaUniversity of ArizonaThe University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
Pima CountyPima County, Arizona-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*74.3% White*3.5% Black*3.3% Native American*2.6% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.7% Two or more races*12.4% Other races*34.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
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