Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana
Sweet acacia
(c) Todd Boland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Todd Boland · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana (Sweet acacia) is a non-native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by 1 sympatric variety; differs by leaf size and petiole pubescence.
Sweet acacia is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal areas and desert regions in disturbed areas, chaparral, dry scrub, and forest habitats at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from November to April, this plant produces pale yellow to cream-colored flowers in small, round clusters. Growing up to 3 to 4 meters tall with multiple spreading branches, it forms a dense, somewhat thorny structure. Its leaves are compound with numerous small leaflets, typically more than 30 millimeters long, with slightly puberulent petioles and a delicate, feathery appearance. The shrub produces small, elongated seed pods characteristic of its acacia family lineage.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric variety; differs by leaf size and petiole pubescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, chaparral, dry scrub, forest
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native to tropical America from Florida to southern Texas, southern Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana blooms Nov-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Acacia: Vachellia has paired spines at leaf bases and feathery leaves; Acacia has no spines and simple blade-like leaves.; vs Neltuma: Vachellia has straight paired spines at leaf bases; Neltuma has scattered thorns on branches.; vs Parkinsonia: Vachellia has twice-compound leaves with normal-sized leaflets; Parkinsonia has flattened green stems with tiny leaflets.; vs Senegalia: Vachellia has straight paired spines at leaf bases; Senegalia has curved cat-claw prickles scattered on stems.; vs Jacaranda: Vachellia has paired spines and yellow ball flowers; Jacaranda is unarmed with blue-purple tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana native to California?
No. Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana bloom?
Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana blooms Nov-Apr.
What plant family does Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana belong to?
Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana is in the Fabaceae family, genus Vachellia.
What habitat does Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana grow in?
Vachellia farnesiana var. farnesiana grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas, chaparral, dry scrub, forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.