Prairie Acacia
Acaciella angustissima var. angustissima
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, United States
GBIF: Ethan
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Acaciella
- Species:
- Acaciella angustissima var. angustissima
- USDA Symbol:
- ACSU12
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Blanchard's Prominent Moth (Syssphinx blanchardi), Cydia ninana, raspa sphinx moth (Syssphinx raspa), Syssphinx albolineata, Outis Skipper (Cogia outis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire or top-kill. Common in fire-maintained prairies and grasslands of the southwestern US.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Adapted to various soil types in native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification by hot water treatment or mechanical scarification improves germination rates. Seeds have hard seed coats typical of legumes.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI