Commonly known as Sweet Acacia, Cassie, or Needle Bush, this small tree in the legume family has thorns, and closely related to Mesquite tree. This tree is drought tolerant and found in all the dryer areas of the park. It is also cultivated in Southern Europe for its use in high-end perfume production known as Cassie.
Huisache trees are great habitat for birds because the thorns provide some protection from predators. The wood is hard and durable; used for fences, pegs and plows. Every part was used widely in folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments from sore throat to diarrhea. The sap is considered a superior form of the Gum Arabic compound used in art. A gummy substance from the pods can be used as a cement adhesive.
The name originates from the Aztec culture and means ” many thorns”. It has two recognized scientific names, Vachellia farnesiana and Acacia farnesiana
Spring seeds
Flower Seeds
Thorns