Sweet Acacia

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.

a-KA-sha  far-ne-se-A-na

Mimosaceae (Legumes)

Key to Acacia Mill.

Explanation of name: Acacia comes from the Greek name for tree Acacia arabica; derived from the Greek akis which means a sharp point. (STE)  Farnesiana means from the gardens of Farnese Palace, Rome (DEH).

Natural range: dry sandy areas of tropical America. Naturalized in parts of S. Florida. (DEH)

Recognition: shrub or small tree usually armed with stipular spikes; leaves bipinnate with 2-6 pairs of pinnae and 9-20 pairs of oblong leaflets, to 1/4” long;  flowers are yellow, stalked, globose heads, ½" in diameter, very fragrant; fruit is a black thick stubby legume, 3" long (ISE, DEH, WA1, BA2)

Landscape uses: specimen shrub, flowering shrub, barrier shrub (DEH, BR1)