Acacia angustissima (P. Mill.) O. Ktze. var. hirta (Nutt.) Robins.

  • Family: Fabaceae (legumes)
  • Common name: prairie acacia
  • Synonym: Acaciella hirta

    Subshrub or herbaceous from a woody base. Stems thin, usually unbranched, glabrate, ridged. Leaves alternate, bipinnate, 5-12 cm (2-5 in) long, each with 10-14 pinnae having 10-35 pairs of very small leaflets. Inflorescence axillary, pedunculate, with heads about 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter. Fruit brownish flat legumes 4-7 cm (1.6-2.8 in) long and 6-8 mm (0.25-0.3 in) wide.

    Distribution: Native to Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Habitat: prairie hillsides and rock outcrops.
    Comments:: The seeds are eaten by quail and other birds. Acacia refers to the spines presrnt in most members of the genus; angustissima refers to the very narrow leaflets.
    NWI status: none

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Distribution in Oklahoma:

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    Last update: 9/7/99
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