Catclaw Acacia
Senegalia greggii
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Don Carlson
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Senegalia
- Species:
- Senegalia greggii
- USDA Symbol:
- SEGR4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Burns' buck moth (Hemileuca burnsi), Hubbard's silk moth (Syssphinx hubbardi), Melipotis novanda, tricolor buckmoth (Hemileuca tricolor), Zaleops umbrina
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire or mechanical damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid desert conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have a hard coat requiring scarification (hot water soak or mechanical nicking) for best germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are scarified by clipping prior to a 4 to 5 hour water soak.
Source: npn.rngr.net