Botanical name: Leguminosae

Family: Pea

Range: Native to the tropics and the warm regions of the world, particularly Australia (called wattles), Mexico, and the Southwestern states

Tough. Durable. Beautiful. These are the words that describe the acacia. Tolerating a wide range of unfavorable conditions including drought, heat, hot winds, and poor soil conditions (it requires no fertilization as legumes are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen) makes them invaluable for southwestern landscapes. There are many acacias to choose from but only a handful are hardy in die high desert. You can prune or train most into shrubs or trees. Remove the lead shoot and it will grow as a shrub; thin the lower branches for a tree. All attract birds and some make excellent nectar for honeybees. The Native Americans dried and powdered the leaves to use on diaper rash and saddle sores. In France, sweet acacia or huisache, is cultivated for use in perfumes.

A. stenophylla (shoestring acacia) is widely used in Sierra Vista and looks great planted with eucalyptus and palo verdes. Leaf threads are long and narrow which produces a beautiful weeping effect. Flowers are white puffballs and can appear during winter and spring. A fast growing evergreen tree to 30' tall with a 20' spread. A. greggii (catclaw acacia) is a long-lived (one hundred years or older) deciduous shrub. Plants found in Mexico can reach up to 15' but it usually grows to no more than 6'. It is also known as the "Frito" plant because the flat, wide fruits are twisted like com chips. The flowers are yellow, sweet-scented, and attract bees and butterflies. The seeds are relished by quails and desert animals seek refuge in its branches which contains sharp, cat-like claw thorns. A. redolens (prostrate acacia) is a spreading, evergreen groundcover that can spread up to 15' and often stays under 2' in height. Leaves are narrow, pointed ovals, grey-green, and leathery. In spring small, puffy yellow balls cover the plant. Noted as one of the best sprawling plants for arid climates and can die out if overwatered.