Whitethorn Acacia

Whitethorn acacia, Acacia constricta

Whitethorn Acacia is a native, multi-trunked tree or shrub found within the desert areas of the southwest that blooms with small, yellow balls of fragrant flowers. It is drought, cold, and heat tolerant tree that can reach 6 m (19.7 ft) in height and live up to 72 years old. Upon a top-kill, such as by fire, whitethorn acacia will sprout from the root crown. It will commonly flower once in spring and once in fall. The short-lived flowers are most often pollinated by honey bees while the seeds are consumed by quail, rats, mice, and occasionally deer. Native Americans would grind the beans into a meal for food, and use the beans, leaves, and roots for digestive, respiratory, and dermal symptoms.