Mimosaceae - Thorn tree family
SA Tree no 189
This tree is only found near permanent water sources, such as rivers, swamps and pans. One or two trees may be seen together in an area, and they occur in large numbers near Pafuri.
No other thorn-tree in this area has a trunk and branches that are yellow-green and covered in yellow powder, making it unique in appearance. It has a straight, smooth, single trunk, and a sparse, roundish, spreading canopy. The trunk and branches "peel" in paper-thin layers. The tree is medium to tall, well shaped, and grows to a height of between 10 and 15 m. Because of growing in low-lying swampy places, these trees are associated with malary, early pioneers believing that the tree was responsible, rather than the malaria mosquito that breed in them.
Links with Animals - The characteristic holes in the bark are caused by woodborers. Monkey and baboon eat the flowers, young shoots and seeds. Elephant eat the pods, leaves and branches.
Human uses - The bark is used for treating fevers and eye complaints. The wood is used in building, being a hard, heavy and a useful general purpose timber; it should be thoroughly seasoned first to avoid it cracking.
Gardening - This ornamental tree can be very attractive in indigenous gardens in warmer areas. It need well-watered clay soil and cannot withstand severe frost or drought. It can be grown from seed quite easily, but they are difficult to obtain; when well watered, it is exceptionally fast growing.
Leaves - Twice compound, with a single leaflet at the tip, opposite elliptic with a smooth margin. Leaves are smallish and feathery (average 7 feather pairs, 17 pairs of leaflets; leaf 100 m; leaflet 7 x 1 m)
Flowers - round, golden balls on slender stalks are found in the axil of the thorns, from September to November (10 mm)
Thorns - Straight, white thorns grow on a common base. Some may be under developed or absent. (80 mm)
Pods - The flat, bean-like pod is papery and borne in clusters. It is brown when ripe in late summer, January to April. (100 x 15 mm)
Best places to see the Fever Tree in Southern Africa:
The Fever Tree is found in the Kruger National Park in the Alluvial Plains & Knob Thorn / Marula Savannah 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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