Acaciella angustissima (Prairie Acacia)

Native from the central and southern United States through Mexico and Central America to northwestern Argentina, this thornless shrub or small tree bears finely divided, fern-like foliage. Numerous projecting stamens give its white to cream flowerheads a fluffy appearance. It has naturalized in Queensland, Australia, including along Witton Creek in Brisbane. In Chiapas, Mexico, its tannin-rich bark is used to tan leather. Its roots have also been used traditionally to aid fermentation of pulque, a Mexican drink made from agave sap. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia and Florida.