AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



ACACIA. 



The acacias are shrubs or small trees which are widely distributed 

 throughout the warmer portions of the world. There are said to be 450 

 species, of which nearly 300 are native to Australia and Polynesia. We 

 also find reference to them in India, Africa and South America. The 



Fig. 2. Acacia melanoxylon. 



different species are known by various local names. In Europe some are 

 known as mimosa trees. As sources of honey they are important in 

 Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. 



The sweet acacia (Acacia farnesiana), in Texas called huisache, is 

 found along the gulf coast in Alabama and as far east as South Carolina. 

 In Texas the huajilla (Acacia berlandiera), is an important source of nec- 

 tar. In fact, according to the Texas bulletin on honey plants, it is the 

 main source in southwest Texas. It grows abundantly on dry and rocky 

 hills which often are not suited to growing agricultural crops. The honey 

 is white and of fine quality. 



The catsclaw, or paradise flower (Acacia gfeggii), is another very im- 

 portant source of honey in the southwest. It is one of the principal 



