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Brundage, Stephanie
Senegalia berlandieri
Senegalia berlandieri Britton & Rose
Guajillo, Berlandier Acacia, Berlandier's Acacia, Round-flowered Catclaw, Roundflower Catclaw, Mimosa Catclaw, Thornless Catclaw, Huajilla
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Acacia berlandieri
USDA Symbol: SEBE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Senegalia berlandieri is a spreading shrub with many stems from the base, growing 3-15 feet tall. The white-to-cream-colored flowers (yellowing with age), grow in ball-like clusters, 5/8 inch or more in diameter, and are quite fragrant. They have 50-100 or more stamens, but no petals. The pinnately compound leaves are delicate, almost fernlike, 4-6 inches long with 5-9 (sometimes up to 18) pairs of leaflets, and these leaflets are again divided into 30-50 leaflets. The flower is a source of heavy, light-colored honey, rated by many as the best in the state. The seed pods are 3-5 inches long and 1 inch or more wide.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate
Leaf Shape: Elliptic
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers in 1/2 inch globes.
Fruit: Brown 3-5 in.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: Southern part of Edwards Plateau in Texas south through northeastern Mexico to Hidalgo
Native Habitat: Hillsides, Slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Gravelly, Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: Senegalia berlandieri is a spreading shrub with many stems from the base. The white-to-cream-colored flowers (yellowing with age), grow in ball-like clusters and are quite fragrant. The pinnately compound leaves are delicate, almost fernlike. The flower is a source of heavy, light-colored honey, rated by many as the best in the state.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Showy, Aromatic, Attractive, Blooms ornamentalUse Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals, Fruit-rodents, Cover.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Long-tailed Skipper Urbanus proteus, Reakirt's Blue Echinargus isola
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
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Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsFrom the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterWebref 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas Arboretum
Additional resources
USDA: Find Senegalia berlandieri in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Senegalia berlandieri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Senegalia berlandieri
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-21Research By: TWC Staff