This tree is native to the southern United States, Mexico to Brazil, Colombia and Peru, so it doesn't just belong to the Sonoran Desert.
We called Sweet Acacia, because of the sweet aroma that its flowers emanate. And it is because of the aroma that this tree is very famous internationally! It’s known that the Jesuits introduced this tree to Spain in the 1600's and from there it was shared throughout Europe. Since then it has been cultivated in countries with warm climates and used for the production of perfumes... And sometimes we, here in the Sonoran Desert, take it for granted!.
The characteristics of sweet acacia are very similar to other Acacias from Australia and Africa, and that is why when the latin name Acacia farnesiana was assigned, it was based on
an error, since here in the American continent we do not have native Acacias as in other parts of the world, so it was not until 2005 that the latin name was changed to Vachellia farnesiana. And the name farnesiana comes from the last name of the Italian Cardinal Odoardo Farnese of the 16th century, who, under the patronage of his family, preserved certain private gardens where these trees were stablished by the Jesuits.
Sweet acacia, like many other desert trees, has thorns, but this does not matter if you give it space and the necessary care (pruning branches that are close to where you walk, for example), I have also noticed when it is growing, it produces lots of suckers!, these are branches that grow from the stem and give it the shape of a bush instead of a tree, so if you want to keep the shape of a tree, you're going to have to prune these suckers from time to time.
The thorns are not too dangerous if you wear leather gloves, and if you are careful when pruning. And to the bad luck of this beautiful tree, the pollen of its flowers can cause allergies in some people, but compared to other plants such as the horrible bermuda grass, it is not such a potent allergen. I am very lucky not to be one of them, and I love enjoying the benefits of having this tree in my garden: shade, color, perfume, pollinators, shelter for birds, protection against winds and noise.
Here in Tucson we use sweet acacia in the parking lots and on the medians in the streets, when in bloom their color stands out from the asphalt. They are an excellent alternative for small patios as they do not grow as large as Mesquites or Palo Fierros, and can also be used as accent plants, which means placing it in a focal point in your garden.
Type: Tree, evergreen in mild winters.
Size: 15 - 20 ft tall.
Water use: Drought tolerant, deep watering during summer to encourage fast growth.
Flower season: Spring, Fall and sometimes Winter.
Flowers: Half inch yellow balls, sweet aroma.
Food for: Nectar-feeding insects, larval host for the Mexican yellow butterfly (Eurema mexicana), Mimosa yellow (Pyrisitia nise), and Reakirt's blue (Hemiargus isola) as well as several species of moths*.
Where to plant: Full sun, whenever you can enjoying the sweet smell!
Distribution: Southern California and Arizona, Texas, Florida, from Mexico to South America
Ancestral use: The pods are used for ink and medicinal applications, the bark is used for dyeing and tanning and its widely cultivated worldwide in warm countries for the production of perfumes.
Landscape design: This tree is perfect for a small patio, it can be placed as a focal point, because when in bloom, the color is so bright it does not go unnoticed. It can also create a look of natural desert landscape together with branching shrubs and cactus.