Common Names
Wait-a-minute Bush, Vicious Thorns

Habitat
Most common in washes where its roots have access to deep water. Its seeds require physical scarification in order to germinate. This effectively prevents germination unless a flash flood disturbs the area and deposits enough water to increase the likelihood that seedlings will establish deep enough roots to survive the dry season. Catclaw is fully drought-deciduous and will usually lack leaves for most of the year.

Flowers
The flowers are produced in dense cylindrical spikes, each flower with five yellow petals 3 mm long and numerous yellow stamens 6 mm long.

Description
A large shrub or small tree growing to 10 m tall with a trunk up to 20-30 cm in diameter. The grey-green leaves are deciduous.

Comments
Frequently afflicted with desert mistletoe.

Source
Wikipedia