About Vachellia rigidula (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger
Vachellia rigidula (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger, commonly called blackbrush acacia or chaparro prieto, is also known by the synonym Acacia rigidula. It is a species of shrub or small tree belonging to the legume family, Fabaceae. It is a perennial plant native to a range extending from Texas in the United States south to central Mexico, and it is not listed as a threatened species. It grows to a height between 1.5 and 4.6 meters (5 to 15 feet), and it naturally grows on limestone hillsides and in canyons. In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that BMPEA, a synthetic isomer of amphetamine, does not naturally occur in Vachellia rigidula leaves. In 2015, 52% of dietary supplements labeled as containing Acacia rigidula were found to be adulterated with this synthetic BMPEA. Consumers following the recommended maximum daily serving sizes for these adulterated supplements would consume a maximum of 94 mg of BMPEA per day. Vachellia rigidula is used in weight loss dietary supplements, because its chemical compounds are claimed to stimulate beta-receptors, increase lipolysis and metabolic rate, and decrease appetite. In its native region, Vachellia rigidula is also known as an early-blooming plant that produces large amounts of honey.
