Catclaw, known also as catclaw acacia, devils-claw, Gregg acacia, paradise- 

 flower, Texas mimosa and una de gato (claw of cat) is a southwestern species 

 ranging from western Texas to southern Nevada, northern Lower California, 

 and northern Chihuahua, Mexico. It is a typical desert or semidesert species, 

 often occurring in dry valleys and ravines, and on sandy or gravelly, arid 

 mesas, usually in considerable abundance. It is especially characteristic of 

 the creosotebush belt, and is frequently associated with mesquites (Prosopis 

 spp. ) . The flowers usually appear in May or June, and the brown pods mature 

 mainly between July and September. 1 



Acacia (Greek akakia) is a name used by the early Greek physician-botanist 

 Dioscorides to describe an Egyptian thorny tree probably a true acacia. 

 According to some, the word is of Egyptian origin, although others derive it 

 from the Greek ake, a point or thorn. This species was named in honor of 

 Dr. Josiah Gregg (1806-1850), explorer and plant collector. Although catclaw 

 grows typically as a prickly shrub 3 to 10 feet high, it frequently develops into 

 an upright tree up to 25 or 30 feet tall, especially on the better soils. 



The browse importance of this shrub or small tree varies somewhat, de- 

 pendent upon associated species, drought, and other local conditions, but, every- 

 thing considered, it is the most important species of Acacia, on the south- 

 western ranges. In general, the species tends to be grazed more in dry than 

 in normal or moist years, and more on ranges where there is little browse 

 than where there is much other palatable browse. On some depleted ranges, 

 catclaw undoubtedly rates as fairly good forage and certain areas have been 

 overstocked as a result of considering such excessive use normal. On con- 

 servatively grazed ranges, however, especially when succulent grass is present, 

 this species generally ranks as poor forage. The twigs become green early 

 in the spring, before the new leaves appear, and furnish relatively succulent 

 and fairly palatable forage for a short period at that time. Also, at least 

 in southern Arizona, the new leaves, buds, arid flowers are often eaten rather 

 extensively in late spring and until the summer rains begin. In that region 

 there is usually little fresh growth of grass in the spring, and the relative 

 readiness with which catclaw is then grazed is due to its herbage being 

 succulent and green. In drought years, when the dry grass forage of the 

 previous summer has usually been grazed closely by springtime, catclaw, be- 

 cause of its abundance, rather profuse and delicate herbage, and its vigor and 

 ability to withstand heavy grazing, becomes an important feed. Mature 

 leaves and pods, however, are of inferior palatability. Furthermore, sharp 

 prickles render parts of the plant inaccessible to grazing animals. 



When of tree habit, catclaw is valued on the range for its shade a matter of 

 especial importance on arid sites. 1 Goldman notes that catclaw by its shade 

 and thorny protection affords a "favorite hiding place for jack rabbits and 

 other mammals." ~ It is a host plant for several species of lac insects, which 

 produce lac, a material used in varnishes and shellac. When accessible to bee 

 colonies, the fragrant flowers serve as an important source of honey. Standley 

 reports it exudes a gum similar to guni arabic, which is used locally. 3 



Catclaw is readily recognizable by its fragrant yellow flowers, borne in dense 

 cylindrical spikes three-fourths to 2% inches long, and by its distinctive flat 

 seed pods. These pods are constricted between the seeds, curved or contorted, 

 one-half to three-fourths of an inch wide, 2 to 6 inches long, and several-seeded 

 (occasionally very short and one-seeded), and are shaped somewhat like a 

 frying pan. Prickles, scattered along the stems, are short (about one-fourth 

 of an inch long), stout, and curved. The leaves are twice divided (bipinnately 

 compound), with very small leaflets. This shrub has rather light gray bark, 

 somewhat furrowed and scaly on the trunk, and very hard, durable wood. 

 Most other acacias growing with catclaw on the range have their flowers in 

 globular clusters, and the majority are either unarmed or have straight thorns. 



1 Dayton, W. A. IMPORTANT WESTERN BROWSE PLANTS. U. S. Dept. Agr. Misc. Pub. 101, 

 214 pp., illus. 1931. 



2 Goldman, B. A. PLANT RECORDS OF AN EXPEDITION TO LOWER CALIFORNIA. U. S. Natl. 

 Mus., Contrib. U. S. Natl. Herbarium 16: 309-371, illns. 1916. 



3 Standley, P. C. TREES AND SHRUBS OF NEW MEXICO (FAGACEAE-FABACEAE). U. S. 

 Natl. Mus.. Contrib. U. S. Natl. Herbarium 23 : 171-515. 1922. 



