I've been doing a little research on the matter but could use some guidance.

I just moved to Southern California, and aside from my fascination with cacti, I hope to get some kind of mimosa or acacia going. I'm looking for what would be the best option for my situation.

I'm looking for something that will stay compact and non invasive, have a good DMT content, and be easy and sustainable to harvest from (don't have to harvest root bark). I'm interested in extractions, but even moreso something I could used to make mimosahuasca brews with.

Can anyone help steer me in the right direction>

Good to see more people wanting to grow, you'll find it to be a great experience I'm sure!

You could try
Acacia Acuminata (esp. narrow phyllode variety)
Acacia Floribunda

I have read also that nen888 suggests Acacia Neurophylla subsp. Neurophylla. If you need any help sourcing these shoot me a PM I don't know of any other mimosas which reliably contain tryptamines but a few of the 3 mentioned and you're off to a great start. In my experience Floribunda is relatively fast growing but reports are variable, acuminata is slower growing but contains a clean profile and high yeild. Having never grown neurophylla I can't really comment on it but if nen says it's worth it then I'd take his word for it

A.

I am not really sure but it might be too hot for acuminata and floribunda..they are temperate trees from what I understand. Nen and others will know more though. I have both of them outdoors right now in BC.

I would grow a few confusas for sure..they are pretty fast IME and the phyllodes are likely active and the stem/branch bark is active.

If you are worried about harvesting rootbark damaging mimosa..well you can easily harvest rootbark from mimosa hostilis without killing the tree. It handles it pretty well and this is how it is done in brazil often. Like 1/3 of the roots are harvested and then the tree is left alone to regenerate. You can top it at like 4 or 5 feet and let it bush out if you are worried about it getting too big or something.

Bonsai mimosa! Nice.

I doubt it would be too hot here where I'm at. It's pretty far south, but very coastal. Doesn't tend to get very hot for extended periods. Just nice and mild year round.

You could be right Jamie regarding the floribunda but I know for one that the acuminata grows in a desert like landscape. Here's some further info on the trees regarding climate:

Acuminata
Climate parameters
Mean annual rainfall: 225-500 mm
Rainfall distribution pattern: winter
Mean annual temperature: 15-21 °C
Mean max. temperature of the hottest month: 32-34 °C
Mean min. temperature of the coldest month: 4-7 °C
Frosts: up to 20 per year
Frost intensity: light to moderate (0 to -5°C)
Altitude: 0-400 metres

Neurophylla grows in similar climates to acuminata from what I can tell. Still trying to find as comprehensive climate data on the other trees for confirmation though.

also, iirc you are only supposed to harvest the rootbark from lateral roots.