Acacia farnesiana

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ellington-curse
• cassie
• fragrant acacia
• huisache
• ironwood
• mimosa-bush
• opopanax
• prickly mimosa-bush
• prickly moses
• prickly-mimosa
• scented wattle
• sweet acacia
• sweet wattle
• Cassie Flower
• Dead Finish
• Needle Bush
• Texas huisache

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimosa farnesiana
• Acacia farnesiana
• Poponax farnesiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by its genus, Vachellia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Southern Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the islands of the Baleares. Its presence also extends to the mainland territories of both France and Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species is documented within the borders of Italy. Finally, its geographical range includes the Mediterranean island of Sicilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vacchellia farnesiaana is characterized by its adaptability across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to a maximum elevation of 2130 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1400 m AMSL. This species thrives in diverse environments, specifically inhabiting both anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and the Caatinga biome in the strict sense, reflecting its ability to persist in both modified landscapes and native semi-arid shrublands. Furthermore, the plant possesses biological defense mechanisms, as indicated by the presence of defensive traits, which likely aid in its survival against herbivory within these specific ecological niches.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2130 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Genetics

The genetics of Vachellia farnesiaana are characterized by a complex chromosomal arrangement, specifically exhibiting varying ploidy levels. Cytogenetic analysis of the species reveals distinct chromosome numbers of 52 and 104, indicating a polyploid nature within its genomic structure. This variation in chromosome count suggests a significant evolutionary capacity for genome doubling, which may contribute to the plant's adaptive strategies and morphological diversity.

Chromosome number :

52, 104

Life history

The life history of Vachellia farnesiaana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its buds well above the ground level, a structural trait that defines its life form. Furthermore, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vacchellia farnesiaana is characterized by a versatile growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree, exhibiting a woody structure throughout its development. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and maintains a terrestrial existence, rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. The plant is self-supporting in its growth habit, distinguishing it from lianas or vines. In terms of stature, it displays significant variation in height, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 30 meters, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 9.53 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

9.53 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vachellia farnesiaana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a specialized ability to function as a nitrogen fixer. The plant's vegetative structure features elliptic leaves that vary in size, with a minimum length of 0.2 cm and a maximum length of 2 cm, while the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 0.05 cm to a maximum of 0.2 cm. The leaf dry matter content (LDMC) remains highly consistent, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 600 mg/g, indicating a stable concentration of organic matter within the leaf tissue. Furthermore, the stem specific density (SSD) reflects a robust structural composition, with values ranging from a minimum of 730 mg/cm³ to a maximum of 830 mg/cm³, resulting in an average stem density of 780 mg/cm³.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

600 mg/g

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Leaf width max:

0.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.05 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) max:

830 mg/cm³

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

780 mg/cm³

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

730 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vachellia farnesiaana is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system where self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through biotic pollination. The plant produces yellow flowers, which reach a maximum length of 0.25 cm, and the flowering period is highly flexible, spanning from January through December. Pollination is driven by an insect syndrome, specifically involving bees. Following successful pollination, the plant develops brown, pod-type fruits that are dehiscent in nature; these fruits vary in length from 4.7 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. The reproductive output is prolific, with each fruit containing more than 1,000 seeds. These seeds are characterized by a mean length of 7.29 mm (ranging from 7 to 8 mm) and a mean width of approximately 5 to 5.5 mm, with a mean volume of 110 mm³. The seed mass is relatively light, with a mean of 0.072483512 g, though individual seeds can range from a minimum of 0.01252 g to a maximum of 0.137 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, meaning the seeds are dispersed through the internal passage of animals.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

7 cm

Fruit length min:

4.7 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

8 mm

Seed length mean:

7.29 mm

Seed length min:

7 mm

Seed mass max:

0.137 g

Seed mass mean:

0.072483512 g

Seed mass min:

0.01252 g

Seed volume max:

110 mm³

Seed width max:

5.5 mm

Seed width min:

5 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vachellia farnesiana has 102 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include METHYL GALLATE, Gallic acid, naringenin, (+)-Catechol, (+)-gallocatechol.

METHYL GALLATE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Current developments in nutrition

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

naringenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(+)-Catechol

1. Dr. Duke

(+)-gallocatechol

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-IONONE

1. Dr. Duke

Anisaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-IONONE

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Vachellia farnesiana has 561 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Astringent, Cytotoxic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Astringent

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Vachellia farnesiana has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Vachellia farnesiana has 10 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts, aqueous extracts, chloroformic extracts, ethanolic extract, extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of food science

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chloroformic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extract

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Extracts

1. Journal of food science

Hexanic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-hexane and dichloromethane (dcm) fractions

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Polyphenol-rich extract

1. Current developments in nutrition

Water extract

1. Pharmacognosy magazine