Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Wednesday - March 21, 2012

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification, Trees
Title: Identification of tree blooming in Austin with yellow balls
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

What is the tree/large shrub that is blooming now (mid-March) in the Austin area? It has small mesquite-type leaves, round yellow balls with fuzz on them and is fragrant. Thanks!

ANSWER:

Someone else has just asked a similar question. The answer is that probably you are seeing Acacia farnesiana (Huisache). You can read a more in-depth answer to this question and see other (less likely) possibilities for the identity of the tree/large shrub.

From the Image Gallery

Huisache
Vachellia farnesiana