Mimosaceae - Thorn-Tree family
SA Tree no 164.1
This tree prefers granitic soils, and is often found on the edges of roads, gravelly soils and rocky hillsides.
It is a small thorn tree, with a height of 2 - 5 m, is often multi-stemmed and has fine, feathery foliage forming a broom-like crown. The bark is smooth and peels in large, orange-brown flakes, leaving a smooth, yellow-brown under-surface. The thorns are very long and white, and it has a few yellow, ball-like flowers for most of the summer. The branches are often shiny glutinous in parts, having an oily appearance as a result.
Links with animals - Leaves and pods are eaten by impala and duiker.
Human uses - Roots are cooked like vegetables, much in the same way as sweet potatoes.
Gardening - This tree is small and untidy and seldom used in the garden.
Leaves - Twice compound, opposite, with 1 - 6 pairs of feathers, each with 3 - 6 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets elliptic with a rounded end, a sharp tip and a smooth margin. Base square, asymmetric. (Leaflet: 3 - 10 x 1,5 - 4,5)
Flowers - The yellow, ball-like flowers on long, slender stalks may be seen sporadically from October to February. They are never abundant, although the tree may flower for long periods. (10 mm)
Pods - Sickle-shaped, segmented, brown to reddish-brown, flat pods are covered by glands that secrete a sticky fluid, conspicuously gland dotted. February to May. (10 x 65 mm)
Thorns - The long, straight, white, paired thorns are thickened at the base, The pair of thorns grow from a single base and do not move apart as the branch grows. They are very conspicuous in winter and early summer, when the tree is without leaves. (70 x 100 mm)
Best places to see the Flaky Thorn in Southern Africa:
The Flaky Thorn is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Lebombo Mountain Bushveld, Olifants Rugged Veld & Mopane Scrubveld ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
South African Trees >> Printable Tree List <<
The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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