Plant Fact Sheet

FABACEAE
Cat Claw Acacia
Acacia greggii

Cat claw acacia is a large shrub to small tree 6 feet to 25 feet in height and width. It is common to washes, flats and rocky slopes below 5,000 feet elevation in the Coachella Valley as well as throughout the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Like the mesquite in Texas, numbers of Cat Claw have increased in areas of desert grassland due to poor range management techniques. The ultimate size of the plant is determined by availability of moisture with wash habitats producing large thickets of this acacia. The stout ¼” re-curved thorns, scattered along the stems, give the plant its common name and afford protection to the birds and mammals seeking sanctuary within its branches. 2” spikes of fragrant cream-colored flowers occur mainly in spring but may bloom again with summer or fall rains. The small gray-green leaflets are drought deciduous in the summer heat and semi-deciduous in the winter cold, depending on the degree of chill. Plants are hardy to 0 degree.

The flowers of cat claw acacia provide an excellent nectar source for honey and are attractive to butterflies. As a frequent host to desert mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) Acacia greggii attracts birds, like phainopeplas, who favor the sticky fruits of this parasite. Foliage and fruits provide browse for wildlife such as mule deer, rabbits and rodents. Rodents and birds consume the seeds. Various insects pollinate the flowers.

In the garden cat claw makes a good barrier plant and wildlife habitat. Over time it can be trained into a small tree with a picturesque trunk. It is very drought tolerant for the natural, desert landscape and can survive on 1or 2 times a month watering in summer once established. Combine with evergreens such as creosote (Larrea tridentata), brittle bush (Encelia farinose) or desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi) to mask its winter dormancy. Plant this shrub well away from any walkways or the reason for its other common name of ‘wait-a-bit’ bush will become evident as its thorny branches snag the unwary passersby.

The ground seeds of cat claw provided Native Americans with a flour from which a mush or cakes could be made. The pods, leaves, stems and flowers all have medicinal value. An exudate similar to gum Arabic is obtained from the trunks for use in Mexico.

Acacia greggii can be found throughout the grounds of The Living Desert with some large examples to be seen in the Mohave, Ethnobotanic and Upper Colorado gardens.