Acacia greggii (Catclaw Acacia)

Catclaw acacia is a woody perennial, growing slowly to form a large shrub or small tree to 15’ tall by 20’ wide. It develops dense thickets, its twisted and tangled branches covered with curved thorns. Rod-shaped, cream colored flowers occur in abundance in the spring provided there was ample winter rain. The fragrant flowers are highly attractive to bees, and the bean-like pods are a favorite of quail. This plant is best suited for revegetation projects, or as a wildlife resource. Native to much of the Southwest, this tough, drought tolerant plant is native to alkaline rocky hillsides and sandy desert flats under 5000 feet in elevation. Hardy to 0 °F.