Plant species of Tumamoc Hill

Tumamoc has more than 300 species of plants. Thanks to the artistry, hard work and generosity of T. Beth Kinsey, you can already see a few of them in this part of the website.

The species list has all our species but many do not yet have their own webpage. We are working to include them, too. (Check the What's new? page for notice of additions.)

Meanwhile, visit Beth's own site Fireflyforest where you will find other plants of southern Arizona, as well as many from Hawaii. And please do let Beth know how much you appreciate her work!

Acacia constricta – Whitethorn Acacia

Flower and leaf of an Acacia constricta - Whitethorn Acacia, White-thorn Acacia

White thorns on an Acacia constricta - Whitethorn Acacia, White-thorn Acacia

Seedpods on an Acacia constricta - Whitethorn Acacia, White-thorn Acacia

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Acacia constricta

Common Names: Whitethorn Acacia, White-thorn Acacia

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial, Deciduous

Growth Habit: Tree, Shrub

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland

Flower Color: Yellow, fading to yellow-orange

Flowering Season: Summer

Height: To 10 feet (3 m) tall or more

Description: The flowers are clustered in fuzzy, 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter balls. The flowers are followed by long, narrow, green to red-tinged seedpods that dry to a brown color. The leaves are bipinnately compound with tiny, green, oval leaflets. Some of the branches have distinctive, straight, white, up to 2 inch (5 cm) long thorns at the leaf axils.

Special Characteristics

Fragrant – The flowers are sweetly and intensely fragrant.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta Plants
Class: Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae Pea family
Genus: Acacia Mill. – acacia
Species: Acacia constricta Benth. – whitethorn acacia

RETURN TO SPECIES LIST

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 Tumamoc is managed by the University of Arizona College of Science and Pima County, Arizona.