Acaciella angustissima, (Acacia angustissima), White-ball Acacia, Southwest Desert Flora

Acaciella angustissima, (=Acacia angustissima), White-ball Acacia

White-ball Acacia has white or cream colored spherical or globose flowers. The plants are native to the central southern and southwest United States. Acaciella angustissima

White-ball Acacia may grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and more depending on variety and location; 2 or 3 feet (.61 or .91m) wide. Acaciella angustissima

White-ball Acacia has a flattened fruit which is a 2 to 3 inch (4 to 7 cm) long seed pod (legume). Acaciella angustissima

White-ball Acacia blooms from May to September, well into the fall. Plants grow at elevations from 3,000 to 6,500 feet (914 to 1,981 m). Acaciella angustissima

White-ball Acacia has green, compound, deciduous, pinnate leaves arranged alternately along the stem. Note the plants have feathery foliage. Acaciella angustissima

White-ball Acacia prefers dry rocky slopes and hillsides, sometimes in chaparral communities; it grows well in alkaline soil. Although this species is common where it is found, it is listed as Endangered by the State of Florida. Acaciella angustissima

Scientific Name: Acaciella angustissima, (=Acacia angustissima)
Common Name: White-ball Acacia

Also Called: Fern Acacia, Ocpatl, Prairie Acacia, Prairie Wattle, White Ball Acacia, Whiteball Acacia; (Spanish: Guajillo, Day, Cantemó Palo de Pulque, Barbas de Chivo)

Family: Fabaceae, Leguminosae Family

Synonyms: ()

Status: Native

Duration: Perennial from woody rhizomes.

Size: May grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) and more depending on variety and location; 2 or 3 feet (.61 or .91m) wide.

Growth Form: Subshrub, shrub or tree depending on variety and geographic location; plants colonize from woody rhizomes; stems are without spines or thorns removing this species from most members of the Acacia genus.

Leaves: Green, compound, pinnate, arranged alternately along stem; feathery foliage; deciduous.

Flower Color: White or cream-colored spherical or globose flowers; the flowers grow from leaf and stem axils; the fruit is a flattened 2 to 3 inch (4 to 7 cm) long seed pod (legume).

Flowering Season: May to September (blooms summer into fall)

Elevation: 3,000 to 6,500 feet (914 to 1,981 m)

Habitat Preferences: Dry rocky slopes and hillsides, sometimes in chaparral communities; grows in alkaline soil.

Recorded Range: White-ball Acacia is found in the central southern and southwest states of AR, AZ, FL, KS, LA, MO, NM, OK and TX. This species is also native throughout northern and central Mexico and Baja California.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Acaciella angustissima as Acaciella angustissima.

North America species range map for Common name, Acaciella angustissima:

Click image for full size map

Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: Unknown
Wetland Indicator: Unknown

Threatened/Endangered Information: Acacia (=Acaciella) angustissima, Prairie Acacia, is listed as Endangered by the State of Florida.

U.S. Weed Information: Unknown

International Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: ¹The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, (CABI), and ²The Invasive Species Compendium (ISC) has identified Acacia (=Acaciella) angustissima, Prairie Acacia as “having a high potential of invasiveness due to its prolific seed production, rapid growth, and its capability to reproduce vegetatively”.

¹The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England; The US Department of Agriculture is a lead partner with CABI.

²The Invasive Species Compendium (ISC) is an encyclopedic resource that brings together a wide range of different types of science-based information to support decision-making in invasive species management worldwide.

Genus Information: In North America there are 5 species and for Acaciella. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 23 accepted species names for the Acaciella.

The genus Acaciella was published in 1928 by Britton and Rose.

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 3 species of genus Acaciella, California has 0 species, Nevada has 0 species, New Mexico has 1 species, Texas has 3 species, Utah has 0 species. Data approximate, subject to revision.

The USDA Plants Database includes the following 2 varieties (previously 3 varieties) of Acaciella angustissima;

Acaciella angustissima var. chisosiana, Chisos Prairie Acacia; (TX);
Acaciella angustissima var. hirta, Prairie Acacia; (AR, AZ, FL, KS, LA, MO, NM, OK, TX).
Acaciella angustissima var. texensis, Prairie Acacia; now included with variety "hirta".

Comments: White-ball Acacia does not have spines or thorns and is easily to cultivate. The flowers are somewhat showy and the fine feathery foliage is one of the plant's most attractive features.

In Southwest Desert Flora also see similar species; Sweet Acacia, Vachellia farnesiana, Catclaw Acacia, Acacia greggii and Whitethorn Acacia, Vachellia constricta.

Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock Acaciella angustissima has showy flowers, the flowers, their seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of food, nectar and protection through cover.

Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Honey Bees and Insects Acaciella angustissima has showy flowers, the flowers and their plants may be visited or used by butterflies, moths, flies, honeybees, native bees and other insects in search of nectar, food or shelter and protection.

Acaciella angustissima is a larval host for Sphingicampa raspa. Find out more from Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA).

Etymology: The genus “Acaciella” (Acac'ella:), is a diminutive form of the genus Acacia or "similar to" or "like", the genus Acacia, but is not a member of the Acacia genus.

The genus Acaciella was published in 1928 by Britton and Rose.

The species epithet “angustissima” (angustis'simus:) means very narrow or most narrow, a reference to the delicate leaflets.

Ethnobotany Unknown