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Form

Leguminosae (Fabaceae)

Huisache is a lovely, intensely fragrant vase-shaped tree native to South Texas and Mexico. The small, ball-shaped bright gold flowers are borne in profusion from February through April. Huisache grows on the heavier, wetter clays and clay loams of the Rio Grande Plains to Big Bend National Park. It is an extremely durable plant, adapted to most soils as long as they are well drained. The branches are armed with paired spines up to 2" long.

Plant Habit or Use: large shrub small tree

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: golden yellow

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: pod, rounded cylinder less than 3" long, does not shatter on ripening.

Height: to 30 ft.

Width: to 40 ft.

Plant Character: evergreen semievergreen

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements: low

Soil Requirements: alkaline adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8

Additional Comments: Flowering is impaired by cold harsh winters in zone 8.