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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Acacia

Acacia angustissima

Other common name(s):

White Ball Acacia, Fern Acacia, Whiteball Acacia, Prairie Wattle, White-ball Acacia

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous, Shrub

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1.5
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Gravelly, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Drought Tolerant. Colonizes by rhizomes, and is good as a ground cover, for erosion control, and prairie restoration. It is similar in appearance to Illinois Bundleflower. Plant on north or east slope, but can also take full sun on a south slope with some supplemental water. Unlike most shrubs it will go dormant or die to the ground in winter, but grows back quickly in spring. In frost-free zones this plant can become a tall shrub. Trim dead foliage before spring growth. Plants not common in nurseries but seeds are commercially available. Propagation: seed, softwood cutting.

Comments

Blooms June-September. A mounding, thornless acacia. Fine, feathery compound foliage, that closes at night, is its most attractive feature. Produces cream-colored round clusters of flowers. The fruit is a legume pod. This plant is unusual in that some sources list it as herbaceous and others as a woody shrub. It can have a woody base, but herbaceous stems and leaves. Larval host: Sphingicampa raspa Moth.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Acaciella angustissima

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas, 2) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Acaciella+angustissima&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACAN11. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=10283&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg 96. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26418#null, 7) https://www.spadefootnursery.com/fagaceae-acaciella-angustissima?rq=acacia%20angustissima, 8) https://garden.org/plants/view/79647/Timbre-Acaciella-angustissima/, 9) https://southwestdesertflora.com/WebsiteFolders/All_Species/Fabaceae/Acaciella%20angustissima,%20White-ball%20Acacia.html, 10) https://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php?genus=Acaciella&species=angustissima, 11) chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_acan.pdf

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow outside in the fall. Collect in late summer to early fall when seeds are firm, filled out, and dark brown. Allow pods to dry on the plant and break open to collect seeds. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACAN11, 2) https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/73443, 3) Wasowski, Sally and Andy, 1991, Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region.
Seed Scarification The primary hurdle is the hard seed coat, which prevents water uptake and germination. Scarification, such as nicking the seed coat with a file or sandpaper, or soaking seeds in hot water (near boiling) for a short period (e.g., 30 seconds) can improve germination rates. After scarification, soaking the seeds in water for 24-48 hours before sowing can further aid germination. Sowing should be done in a well-draining seed starting mix, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Warm temperatures (20-25°C) are beneficial. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-acaciella-angustissima-2/#google_vignette
Semi-harwood Cutting Propagation through cuttings is also possible with Acaciella angustissima, but success depends on several factors. Cuttings can be prone to fungal diseases and rot if not properly treated. Rooting can be slow and inconsistent. Use a rooting hormone to increase the chances of success. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining, sterile potting mix and maintain high humidity (e.g., using a propagator or covering with a plastic bag). Ensure adequate light but avoid direct sunlight. Semi-hardwood cuttings, taken in late spring or early summer, are generally recommended. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-acaciella-angustissima-2/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason