From Ft. Myers, FL. Lee county. This large tree has interesting Pod's. I don't how what they look like before they open. The second shot is of their flowers.
Thanks.
SOLVED: Odd Pod
So cool!! Had to be an Acacia.
Acacia auriculiformis
Big tree!
https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/478717/
I do not know if this one is considered invasive in Florida but here in California a lot of acacia are considered bad and invasive but in spring the world around here is vivid yellow depending on where you are! If you have allergies, you suffer!
Picture found on line. So cool. Shows why it is called earleaf acacia and earpod wattle for the shape of the pods. And look at the seed earrings on those ears!
Had to check.
"Ecological threat: This fast-growing invasive tree has invaded pinelands, scrub, and hammocks in south Florida. Earleaf acacia displaces native vegetation and can shade out rare plants. Each mature tree can produce up to 47,000 seeds per year.
Earleaf acacia is not recommended by IFAS. It is listed as invasive in south Florida, a species of caution (requires management to prevent escape) in central Florida and not a concern in north Florida by the UF/IFAS Assessment. It is listed at a Category 1 invasive by FLEPPC. "
https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/acacia-auriculiformis/
OOPS. Not good.
Listed where this is in Lee County.
https://www.gatewaydistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Exotic_Invasive_List_Lee_County.pdf
I reread your comments and then had to see what unripe pods looked like too. LOL
Still so cool! I am familiar with many acacia types due to studying Australia natives and many of their pods are just fun! Acacia cyclops, Acacia stenophylla, Acacia glaucoptera (my fav acacia flowering) to name a few!
Pictures from
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST004
Wikimedia Commons entry on Acacia auriculiformis. Link too long.
This message was edited Sep 20, 2021 10:22 AM
Thanks again. Interesting tree.
Longest answer ever given!! LOL
But I just remembered the red acacia. It is a WOW. The story I was told on an Australian forum was beyond belief and worth knowing. This red form though saved by humans in the end was also a miracle to have survived humans.
Only 1 red flowered Acacia leprosa was found among a yellow colony. They took cuttings and only 3 rooted. When they went back the bush had been destroyed by others taking cuttings from which none rooted. Thank goodness 3 had rooted so this form was saved for the world to enjoy! They called this naturally occurring variant 'Scarlet Blaze.'
Image from DG.
https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/58564/
