The Senegalia greggii, or catclaw acacia, gets its common name from the spines on its stem, which can be up to ¼” long and, unlike other acacias, are curved like a cat’s claw. It's also called the wait-a-minute tree because if you’re snagged, you have to “wait a minute” and unhook yourself from the tree’s claws! It’s not all vicious, though; Senegalia greggii also has fragrant cream-colored flowers that occur in dense spikes and have been used by indigenous women as a type of perfume. Historically, its young, unripe beans were an important food source for many southwestern tribes, and its wood was used for construction, tools, baskets, fences, and furniture. A native to the desert Southwest, its specific epithet honors Josiah Gregg, a botanist and author who explored the southwest US and northern Mexico in the early 1800’s.