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Catclaw Acacia

Senegalia greggii

true

5 gallon

Catclaw Acacia

In stock

15'x20'

Sizes:

Catclaw Acacia (Senegalia greggii, syn. Acacia greggii)

Catclaw acacia is a large shrub or small tree native to our local desert and the wider Sonoran Desert, extending into Mexico, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. Other common names include Wait-a-Minute Bush, Devil's Claw, Gregg's Acacia, and Catclaw. A long-lived species (often over 100 years), it thrives in alkaline, rocky hillsides, washes, and sandy desert flats.

Once established, Catclaw acacia can survive on natural rainfall, with roots capable of reaching groundwater in washes. In especially hot, dry spells, occasional deep watering can help maintain vigor. It is drought-deciduous, shedding leaves during extended dryness — so consider its possible leafless state in your garden design.

Shrubby forms typically reach 6 feet high and wide, while tree forms can grow up to 20 feet tall with a similar spread. Size will vary with supplemental water — more water means faster growth, but also a denser habit. Catclaw acacia is usually multi-trunked with an irregular shape. The thorns, shaped like a cat’s claw, can easily catch skin or clothing, making it less suitable for tight spaces, but ideal for naturalized plantings, barriers, and wildlife habitats.

In spring and early summer, fragrant rod-shaped, creamy yellow flower spikes bloom in abundance following good winter rains. These flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. Bean-like pods develop later in the season and are a favorite food for quail and other wildlife.

Culturally significant, Catclaw acacia has been used by Native American tribes such as the Cahuilla, Havasupai, O’odham, Pima, and Seri for food, tools, basketry, and medicine. The pods have been eaten fresh, dried, or ground into flour; the wood used for tools and weapons; and various plant parts brewed into teas or made into poultices for a range of ailments.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: Reakirt’s Blue (Echinargus isola), Marine Blue (Leptotes marina), Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus)

Nectar Source: Leda Ministreak (Ministrymon leda), Marine Blue (Leptotes marina), Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus), Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis), plus various native bee species

Bird Resources: Nectar, seeds, caterpillars, roosting, and dense thorny cover for nesting

Bird Species: Gambel’s Quail, Cactus Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, Lesser Nighthawk, and other desert songbirds

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Very Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

15'x20'

Growth rate:

Slow-Moderate

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Spring

Pruning:

Prune only to remove wayward branches, to remove lower branches to expose the attractive trunk or to train into a multi-trunk tree.

Cold Hardiness:

0 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.