Mimosaceae - Thorn-Tree family
SA Tree no 179
This tree prefers brackish soils near rivers and drainage lines and are also found on clay soils.
Normally a small Acacia tree or shrub, 5 to 10 m, with moderate density. It has a wide, V-shaped, irregular canopy. The huge white spiny thorns are conspicuous. It has yellow flower-balls. The pods are swollen end enlarged over the seeds, giving them a necklace-like appearance. Bark is reddish-brown and smooth when young, becoming blackish-grey and rough with age; young branches grey to brown. smooth, not peeling. Stipules spinescent, the spines long, slender, straight, up to 90 mm long, but usually about 40 - 50 mm.
Links with animals - The pods are eaten by all antelope.
Human uses - The Voortrekkers used the pods to make ink. The wood is used for fuel, mining props and fence posts. Extracts of the pods are used for tanning. The gum is edible. An extract of the bark is used to treat coughs and as a sedative. Extracts of the root are used for the treatment of TB and colds.
Gardening - These small trees will grow in most gardens. The can be grown from seed or root cuttings, but are slow growers. They are fairly frost- and drought-resistant.
Leaves - Twice compound leaves borne in bunches of 3 - 4 at the origin of the thorns. Leaves consist of 3 - 9 feathers, each with 8 - 20 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets elliptic with a smooth margin. (Leaf: 40 mm; leaflet: 1 x 4 mm)
Flowers - Yellow, scented balls on hairy stalks are borne in groups of four on the new branchlets. The tree may flower over a long period, although it is never covered in flowers.
Pods - The characteristic pods are swollen over the seeds, giving them a beaded appearance. Young green pods are covered with fine, reddish hairs, which turn black when they mature, March to August. Seeds do not burst open. Mature pods have a strong, sweet scent. (15 x 120 mm)
Best places to see the Scented Thorn in Southern Africa:
The Scented Thorn is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld & Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets 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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