| DESCRIPTION: A thornless shrub or small tree, 2ˆ7 m high with a single short trunk. Leaves bipinnate, predominantly asymmetric with a displaced mid-vein, 10ˆ25 cm long, with 10ˆ20 pairs of pinnae. Inflorescences ellipsoidal with whitish heads 1ˆ1.5 cm in diameter, turning pinkish to dull orange when dry. Pods very thin-walled, papery, oblong , 3ˆ6 cm long and 6ˆ9 mm wide, with straight or sinuate margins, initially green, turning coffee-brown when ripe. USE: As a dry season forage and green manure. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Chisos prairie acacia, Shreve's prairie acacia. FURTHER INF: Grows naturally on free-draining acid soils. Adapted to a wide range of soils including vertisols of slightly alkaline pH. In the native range, annual rainfall varies from 800ˆ3000 mm. Withstands moderate periods of drought , retaining its leaf through the 8-month dry season in eastern Indonesia. It grows naturally from near sea level to 2800 m in environments where mean temperatures range from 25ˆ30°C. Shows better growth potential at the higher elevations and moderate temperatures. It tolerates cold climates once established (occasional temperatures below freezing). May have moderate shade tolerance being native to oak/pine forests. |