Northington, David K.
Acacia angustissima (P. Mill.) Kuntze
Prairie acacia, Fern acacia, Prairie wattle, Whiteball acacia
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Prairie wattle or
fern acacia is a 1-4 ft., rounded sub-shrub with feathery,
deciduous foliage and white, 1/2 in., globe-shaped flower heads on long, upper
axillary stalks. This shrub’s thornless stems are graceful and wand-like. Round masses of creamy white or salmon-colored flowers resembling shaving brushes, rising on slender stalks from the axils of
compound leaves. This attractive
native legume has seeds that are rich in protein; the plant is readily eaten by livestock and decreases in abundance with heavy grazing. The species name, meaning most narrow in Latin, refers to the nature of the leaflets. This species resembles the taller Prairie Mimosa (
Desmanthus illinoensis), also a
native perennial with doubly pinnately
compound leaves, but not a woody shrub.
The foliage of
fern acacia is more impressive than its flowers. The thornless plant makes a good ground cover, colonizing by means of woody rhizomes. Form is variable. After the first hard frost,
fern acacia dies to the ground.
Image Gallery:
3 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AZ , AR , FL , KS , LA , MO , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Missouri and Kansas south to Mexico, east to Louisiana, west to New Mexico
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Woodlands edge, Hillsides, Slopes, High elevation
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Limestone-based, Calcareous;
Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay; Well-drained
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A thornless acacia with lacy foliage for use as a ground cover and in prairie restorations.
Use Wildlife: Flowers attract butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Acacia angustissima is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-09-17
