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Vachellia californica

Text and photos are provided by Mr. Jim Conrad, see:

http://www.backyardnature.net/mexnat/acacia.htm 

January 25, 2015 Newsletter issued from Río Lagartos, on the north-central coast of Yucatán, MÉXICO

Acacia californica ssp. pringlei is uncommon here, though other individuals have been seen, which were smaller and less spectacularly flowering than this one. What a bonanza this blossoming must be for pollinators beginning to feel the dry season's pinch as nowadays many flowering plants just dry up.

January 25th, 2015: along the road leading into Río Lagartos a broadly spreading tree was prettily abloom with snowy-white flowersJanuary 25th, 2015: along the road leading into Río Lagartos a broadly spreading tree was prettily abloom with snowy-white flowers

The tree is formed of several blotchy, whitish stemsThe tree is formed of several blotchy, whitish stems

This tree's leaves were twice-pinnately compound, but the leaflets were few in number and of a fair sizeThis tree's leaves were twice-pinnately compound, but the leaflets were few in number and of a fair size

leaflets are shiny and hairless below, and notched at their tips with tiny mucroleaflets are shiny and hairless below, and notched at their tips with tiny mucro

The leaf's petiole is curiously channeled and segmented, with a conspicuous gland near the baseThe leaf's petiole is curiously channeled and segmented, with a conspicuous gland near the base

Short, sharp, woody "stipular spines" arise next to some buds, also giving another view of the gland on the petioleShort, sharp, woody "stipular spines" arise next to some buds, also giving another view of the gland on the petiole

The flowers were tiny ones densely packed in fuzzy, white spikesThe flowers were tiny ones densely packed in fuzzy, white spikes

from each flower arise many stamens -- more than ten -- and they're not united at their basesfrom each flower arise many stamens -- more than ten -- and they're not united at their bases