Mimosaceae - Thorn-Tree family
SA Tree no 183.1
This tree is found on the edges of rivers and streams, and may be found further from permanent water, in higher rainfall areas.
It is the most conspicuously upright, often very large thorn-tree, next to rivers, and has exceptionally dense, dark green, feathery foliage. Trees reach a height of 25 m, with very dense foliage. Branches stay thick, even towards their extremities, giving the a robust appearance. It has conspicuous, often dark, cushion-like thickenings, at the base of new thorns and where the leaves come out. Leaflets tend to look half- closed. The flower-balls are white and can be seen early in spring. The pods are slender and slightly sickle-shaped and hang from the trees in bunches. The bark is dark grey to dark brown and closely grooved lengthways. Stipules spinescent. the spines usually small, from 7 - 20 mm,straight, greyish in colour and sometimes semi-inflated.
Links with animals - The leaves are browsed by kudu, while the flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Human uses - The underbark is used to make twine. Edible wood borer beetles are found in the wood. The bark is used for tanning.
Gardening - This tree needs a well-watered, warm garden. It will grow rapidly from seed.
Leaves - Twice compound and tend to be grouped near thorns, where they are clumped on cushions, but often not the same cushion as the thorns. Leaflets come off the leaf stem at an acute angle and tend to look half-closed. Leaves consist of 2 - 6 feathers each, with 10 - 25 pairs of leaflets, which are closely ranked and dark green .
(Leaf: 130 x 70 mm; leaflet: 12 x 3 mm)
Flowers - Up to 25 white ball-like flowers grow on green stems in groups, between the leaves and origin of the thorns, on raised cushions. July to September. (20 mm)
Pods - The slender, slightly sickle-shaped pods are rounded at the tip. Pods are borne in bunches, are dark brown and burst open on the tree when ripe, from October to February. (130 20 mm)
Thorns - The straight, white, paired thorns are joined at the base, which may be enlarged like a cushion. Thorns may be underdeveloped. (70 x 110 mm)
Best places to see the Brack Thorn in Southern Africa:
The Brack Thorn is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Riverine Communities, Olifants Rugged Veld & Alluvial Plains 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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