Vachellia tortuosa, the twisted acacia , poponax or huisachillo, is a woody, leguminous thorn tree of the Caribbean, Florida, southern Texas, northeastern and central Mexico, and northern South America. It is found in tropical and desert habitats, such as the Rio Grande Valley, Central Mexican Plateau, and Colombian Tatacoa Desert.[2][3][4][5]

Vachellia tortuosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Vachellia
Species:
V. tortuosa
Binomial name
Vachellia tortuosa
(L.) Seigler & Ebinger
Synonyms
  • Acacia leucacantha Bertero
  • Acacia seifriziana León
  • Acacia tortuosa (L.) Willd.
  • Acacia virescens DC.
  • Mimosa salinarum Rohr ex Benth.
  • Mimosa tortuosa L.
  • Poponax tortuosa (L.) Raf.

Description

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Vachellia tortuosa is a shrub - small tree to 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft) tall.

  • Stipular spines: may be fused at bases.
  • Leaves: compound, 4-8 pairs of segments, 15-20 pairs of leaflets; petiolar gland elliptic.
  • Yellow flowers; stamens numerous.
  • Fruit: a slender moniliform, slightly curved.
 
Vachellia tortuosa seeds

References

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  1. ^ Carrero, C. (2021). "Vachellia tortuosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T153759223A153835067. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T153759223A153835067.en. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  2. ^ USDA distribution map . accessed 4.4.2011
  3. ^ Discover Life.org: Vachellia tortuosa (as Acacia tortuosa—Poponax) distribution map . accessed 4.4.2011
  4. ^ Plantmaps.com: distribution map—Twisted acacia in Mexico . accessed 4.4.2011
  5. ^ Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants: Vachellia tortuosa (as Acacia tortuosa) . accessed 4.4.2011
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