Comparison of Branch Elongation Among Four Acacia Species and Texas Ebony in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas‪.‬

Abstract. -- Branch elongation was compared among four Acacia species (Acacia berlandieri, A. farnesiana, A. rigidula, A. schaffneri) and Texas ebony (Chloroleucon ebano) at three sites in Hidalgo and Starr counties, Texas. Most of the branch elongation occurred in fall and early winter in A. berlandieri, A. farnesiana and A. rigidula, but in A. schaffneri most of the growth occurred in late winter and spring. Branch elongation in Texas ebony was not concentrated in a given season. Acacia berlandieri, A. farnesiana and A. rigidula had significant positive correlations between branch elongation and rainfall, but A. schaffneri and Texas ebony did not. Variation in branch elongation among Acacia species is as great as that which occurs between the Acacia species and Texas ebony. **********