Vachellia farnesiana / Acacia farnesiana / Mimosa farnesiana - Sweet Acacia, Huisache, Needle Bush Seeds

Description

Vachellia farnesiana, commonly known as sweet acacia or huisache, is a thorny, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree in the legume family. Native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, it is now found worldwide due to its widespread introduction for ornamental and commercial purposes.

This species is known for its fragrant, bright yellow, puffball-like flowers that bloom in clusters and can appear nearly year-round in warm climates. The tree typically grows to a height of 2-7 meters and has a sprawling, multi-stemmed habit. The branches are armed with sharp, paired thorns. Its feathery, bipinnately compound leaves give the plant a delicate, soft appearance. The flowers are highly valued in the perfume industry, where their essence is used to create a scent known as “cassie.”

The fruit of Vachellia farnesiana is a dark brown, woody, cylindrical pod, 5-8 cm long. Unlike many legumes, these pods do not split open to release their seeds. Inside, the seeds are hard, oval, and flattened, separated by a pithy material. The seeds have a very hard coat, which can remain viable for an extremely long time in a dormant state. This hard seed coat is a key adaptation for survival and is often broken by passing through the digestive tracts of animals, which then disperse the seeds.