Fern Acacia

Acacia angustissima (P. Miller) K. E. O. Kuntze var. hirta (Torrey & Gray) Robins

Fabaceae

On first glance this plant may resemble Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis). However, if you take a closer look you will find that this plant lacks glands on the petiole. Another interesting characterisitic is that the leaves of Fern Acacia are sensitive, folding up at night, when it rains or when touched (as do some other members of the family Fabaceae, especially plants of the genus Mimosa).

I have never grown this plant myself, but all my research says that this plant is very hardy. It slowly spreads by woody rhizomes to form colonies. Its delicate foliage is very attractive in a wildflower or xeriscape garden.

Behind the Name :

There are about 600 species in the genus Acacia. They are found throughout warmer parts of the world.

Also commonly known as Prairie Acacia and White-Ball Acacia.

There are three varieties of Acacia angustissima:

1. Acacia angustissima (P. Miller) K. E. O. Kuntze var. chisosiana D. Isely


2. Acacia angustissima (P. Miller) K. E. O. Kuntze var. hirta (T. Nuttall) B. Robinson
   syn = Acacia hirta J. Torrey & A. Gray
   syn = Acaciella hirta (J. Torrey & A. Gray) N.L. Britton & J.N. Rose


3. Acacia angustissima (P. Miller) K. E. O. Kuntze var. texensis
   syn = Acacia texensis J. Torrey & A. Gray
   syn = Acaciella texensis (J. Torrey & A. Gray) N.L. Britton & J.N. Rose

Definitions:

Acacia -

From the Greek akis (sharp point; thorny); Refers to the typical habit of most species in the genus Acacia.

angustissima -

From angust (drawn together; narrow) and issim (most; to the greatest degree); Refers to the "narrowest" leaves

hirta -

From Latin, meaning hairy

chisosiana -

From chisos (Chisos Mountains) and ana (suffix that means connection or possession); Coming from the Chisos Mountains which are contained completely within Big Bend National Park, Texas, US.

texensis -

From tex (Texas) and -ensis (suffix meaning place of origin); from Texas

[Butterflies]

The Fern Acacia is used by several butterfly species as a larval food. They eat the buds, young flowers and young foliage.

• Mexican Yellow (Eurema mexicanum) - larval food
• Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) - larval food
• Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) - larval
• Reakirt's Blue (Hemiargus isola)
• Acacia Skipper - larval food
• Antillean Blue - larval food
• Texas Acacia Skipper - larval food

Tags :

native Texas wildflower, Texas native wildflower, Texas native plant, perennial, herb, full sun, partial shade, partially evergreen, subshrub, shrub, white flowers, cream flowers, Spring flowers, Summer flowers, Fall flowers, attractive foliage, propagate by seed, garden worthy, livestock food, prairies, fields, pastures, meadows, woodland openings, roadsides, grasslands, Leguminosae, Pea family, Bean family, Acacia angustissima var. hirta

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: species account
• USDA PLANTS Database: plant profile