Mimosaceae - Thorn-tree family
SA Tree no 154
This tree is often found along rivers and on sandy soils in higher-rainfall areas, often growing in small groups in a suitable habitat.
They have broad, russet pods, which are characteristic from March to September, and the tree is covered by conspicuous, pincushion-like flowers in spring. It is a low-branching tree with large branches that form a spreading canopy of feathery leaves. The bark is smooth and pale grey, and may be broken into rectangular blocks that tend to flake. Although it looks very much like an Acacia, it has no thorns, but false thorns,
Links with animals - Leaves and twigs are heavily utilised by elephant and other browsing game.
Human uses - The wood is used for carving and as corner posts for huts. The roots were used in in combination with other ingredients by witch doctors, to ward off evil spirits.
Gardening - This is a very attractive shade tree that grows well in most gardens. While the seeds do germinate easily, the tree is not drought or frost resistant.
Leaves - twice compound leaves with a pair of feathers at the tip, which are spirally arranged on young shoots. The feathers are opposite and increase in size towards the tip (4 feathers with 16 pairs of leaflets) The leaflets are elliptic with a rounded end, and a sharp tip, with a smooth margin. A single vein is visible from above and below, and splits the leaflet asymmetrically. The leaves turn yellow before they drop in autumn, (Leaf: 90 mm; leaflet: 9 x 2 mm)
Flowers - Typical pincushion-like flowers of Albizias, with prominent stamens, white to yellow, appear with or after the leaves (October to December: 30 mm)
Pods - The russet, bean-like pods are flat and fibrous. They are marked cross-wise with fine lines and the margins are thickened. The pods never open while on the tree and ripen March to September. (50 x 150 mm)
Best places to see the Broad-Pod False-Thorn in Southern Africa:
The Broad-Pod False-Thorn is found in the Kruger National Park in the Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Knob Thorn / Marula Savannah & Riverine Communities 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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