Huisache
Sweet Acacia
Acacia farnesiana
Photographed in Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona. 26 Jan, 2008. The high resolution version of this image is hosted at Wikimedia where there are more images of Sweet Acacia.
TREE : A small to medium sized tree with dark, fissured bark and abundant feathery leaves.
FLOWERS: Capitate spikes of numerous yellow flowers with prominent stamens bloom very early in spring and sporadically at other seasons.
ARMED. At the nodes of the twigs there are pairs of straight, whitish spines which may vary considerably in length.
LEAVES: Twice compound leaves. Frost or extended drought deciduous.
RANGE: Uncommon in many areas of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, but more common to the south and in cultivation. Chihuahuan Desert of Texas. The trees are widely planted in xeriscapes.
FRUIT: Fairly woody pods with sevaral dark bean seeds.
