Slower growing and generally smaller than live oak. Extremely drought tolerant. In environments where there is fire, this is often a small clonal shrub or cluster of small trees. Specimen tree, shade tree. Thicket in dry sandy areas.

Use in a wildflower garden. Good for roadside wilflower plantings.

Rarely grown, likely since it is a poisonous annual with prickles.  Invasive in parts of Asia, Africa, and Australia. This is a personal favorite of one of the authors -- it grows and bloom early and attracts lots of insects.  The only issue is the prickles, so I wear gloves when weeding around it.  It reseeds readily so long as there is good sun and  bare ground where the seeds land. Wildflower garden. This plant will bloom in late winter through spring displaying its large flowers when little else is blooming.