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Vachellia constricta
Vachellia constricta (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger
Whitethorn Acacia, White-thorn Acacia, Mescat Acacia, Mescat Wattle, Whitethorn, Vara Prieta, Chaparro Prieto
Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Synonym(s): Acacia constricta, Acacia constricta var. constricta, Acacia constricta var. paucispina
USDA Symbol: VACO9
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A 9-15 ft., multi-trunked tree with small, yellow-orange balls of fragrant flowers and finely segmented, pinnate leaves which fall off during dry seasons. Long spines on older growth. 2-4 in. beans ripen to bright red. Winter branches are purplish-colored. Mescat Wattle, or Whitethorn, is found in the wild without thorns, so a thornless selection is possible.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Flower: Flowers in 1/2 inch globes
Fruit: Red 2 inch beans
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , NM , TXNative Distribution: TX to AZ & Mex.
Native Habitat: Flat desert areas, High elevation. Dry slopes; washes; mesas.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy, Caliche type, Sandy Loam, limestone soil.
Conditions Comments: Whitethorn is found in the wild without thorns, so a thornless selection is possible. Form is variable.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Fruits ornamentalUse Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-bees, Browse, Seeds-granivorous birds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Increase using untreated seed or by root division.
Seed Collection: Late summer to early fall when seeds are firm, filled out, and dark brown
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From 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
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiBibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
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 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas ArboretumAdditional resources
USDA: Find Vachellia constricta in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Vachellia constricta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vachellia constricta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2025-02-12Research By: TWC Staff