Catclaw acacia
Acacia greggii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. This one is native to North America. Also as Mimosaceae. The seeds are 33 % protein.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It does well in hot conditions and is very drought tolerant once established. It grows below 1,500 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 250-300 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Mexico (country/location of origin), Middle East, North Africa, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The pods are eaten raw. They are also boiled or pounded into a meal for porridge or cakes. The dried pods are used for flour. The dried seeds are eaten like beans.

Edible parts

Pods, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds are best soaked in acid to break the hard seed coat. It can be used as a hedge. It can be grown from semi-ripe cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Cat's paw, Devilsclaw, Gregg Catclaw, Texas mimosa

Synonyms

Acacia durandiana Buckley; Senegalia greggii (A. Gray) Britton & Rose;