Vachellia farnesiana
This wonderful tree is aptly named; the aroma is extraordinary during blooming season. All the pollinators are attracted to this drought tolerant plant. Vachellia is a pioneer plant, colonizing disturbed areas while requiring little resources and contributing to nitrogen availability in the soils. Nectar host for red banded hairstreak butterfly. SEED GROWN in 1 Gallon pots. Shipped bare root and wrapped carefully if shipping is required.
Sweet Acacia
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Also known as Acacia farnesiana
Plant Specifics
| Size: | 8-20 ft tall by 6-10 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | Yellow | |
| Fruit Color: | Brown | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen | |
| Habitats: | Coastal uplands, ruderal, shell middens |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Good for barrier shrub and as wildlife thicket, also nice as specimen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry
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| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray Tolerance: | High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil/Substrate: | Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wildlife
The thorny branches make good cover for birds and other wildlife. Fruits are not generally valued. Attracts pollinators.
There are 2 subspecies, V. farnesiana var. farnesiana and V. farnesiana var. pinetorum. Var. pinetorum is rare. It is also smaller.
There is a very rare species, Vachellia macranthera, occasionally cultivated. It occurs rarely in extreme south Florida and has been found as a likely storm-deposited waif in a couple of areas on the west coast of FL. If you have it, enjoy it. Culture should be similar to V. farnesiana.
Attracts pollinators and uses ants both for protection against unwanted insects.
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8B 9A 9B