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Native Plant Database

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Acacia rigidula (Blackbrush acacia)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Acacia rigidula Benth.

Blackbrush acacia, Blackbrush, Catclaw, Chaparro prieto, Gavia

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonyms: Acacia amentacea

USDA Symbol: ACRI

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Spiny, stiff-branched, thicket-forming shrub bearing numerous spikes of yellow flowers. Chaparro-prieto or blackbrush grows 5-15 ft. Prolific spikes of pale yellow, fragrant flowers are borne on the numerous stiff, thorny branches. The bark of this shrub is whitish in color. Its semi-evergreen leaves are dark-green, glossy and pinnately compound.

This Texas native is sometimes called Catclaw, thanks to its sharp, curved thorns.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Fruit Type: Legume
Flower Size: 2 inch spikes, 3inch spikes
Fruit Color: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Rio Grande Plain to Austin and Big Bend; adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Chaparral & brush country, Roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type, Dry sand or limestone.
Conditions Comments: Slow-growing but vigorous, blackbrush acacia suckers readily. These suckers can be removed at ground level. Pruning encourages dense branching and more flowers. This plant has been used both as an ornamental and for erosion control.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Showy, Long-living, Erosion control, Blooms ornamental. This plant is used in rock gardens, landscapes, or xeriscapes.
Use Wildlife: Flowers are a source of honey. Nectar-bees, Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-moths, Nectar-insects, Seeds-granivorous birds, Browsed by deer.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagation is possible with untreated or treated seed.
Seed Collection: Late summer to early fall when seeds are firm, filled out, and dark brown
Seed Treatment: Soaking seeds in concentrated sulfuric acid for 30 minutes has shown to enhance germination.

 

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Acacia rigidula in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Acacia rigidula in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Acacia rigidula

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-31
Research By: TWC Staff

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