Vachellia tortuosa, Acacia tortuosa, Mimosa tortuosa

The Vachellia tortuosa or Twisted Acacia grows well in full sun in well-drained, moderately moist soils and exhibits strong drought-tolerance once establish. Its growth rate is slow to moderate, reaching a size of 5-10 ft tall as a shrub and up to 10-20 ft as a small tree. This handsome evergreen shrub or small tree makes an attractive specimen in the landscape. Numerous butterflies and hummingbirds will congregate around its fragrant yellow or orange flowers.

For regions in cold climates, the Twisted Acacia is best grown in the warmer days of spring and summer in a large container that can be easily moved indoors during the winter months. When planting in a pot, use a mix of soil-based potting compost and sand, and position the shrub in a bright spot with access to plenty of light. Water the pot in sparingly: let the soil dry out, then water thoroughly. Re-pot the plant every other year into a slightly larger pot. Apply liquid fertilizer in late winter or early spring to stimulate growth and flowering.

For further protection during cold winters, provide the Twisted Acacia with extra insulation by draping frost-like fabric over the container and adding a thick layer of mulch. Pruning is not necessary but can be done after flowering to shape and size the shrub. Generally, prune back approximately one-third of the new season's growth.

Similar plants:

• Vachellia farnesiana, Acacia farnesiana, Mimosa farnesiana (Yellow Mimosa, Sweet Wattle)
• Vachellia cornigera, Acacia cornigera (Bullhorn Acacia)
• Vachellia karroo, Acacia karroo (Sweet Thorn)
• Vachellia oviedoensis, Acacia oviedoensis (Acacia)
• Vachellia sieberiana, Acacia sieberiana (Paperbark Thorn)
• Vachellia sphaerocephala, Acacia sphaerocephala (Bulls-Horn Acacia, Bee Wattle)
• Vachellia xanthophloea, Acacia xanthophloea (Fever tree )
• Acacia cavenia, Mimosa caven (Espino Cavan, Roman Cassie)
• Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena glauca, Mimosa leucocephala, Acacia leucocephala (Wild Tamarind, Lead Tree)
• Lysiloma latisiliquum, Acacia bahamensis, Acacia formosa, Acacia latisiliqua, Leucaena latisiliqua, Lysiloma bahamensis, Lysiloma latisiliqua, Mimosa latisiliqua (Bahamas Lysiloma, Candelon, False Tamarind, Wild Tamarind)