Mimosaceae - Thorn-Tree family
SA Tree no 153
This tree grows almost exclusively on the Ecca Shales preferring areas close to sandstone ridges. It is normally found in groups and has a strong association with the Delagoa thorn. It is also common in the Ndumu Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal.
It is a dense, multi-stemmed V-shaped tree of a small to medium height of 5 - 9 m, and high density. In mature trees each stem is thick, like those of a single-trunked tree. The foliage is dark green and dense, while the bark is smooth and grey with a yellow tinge. The bark peels in narrow, flat strips.
Links with animals - The leaves are eaten by kudu, impala;a and elephant, the pods by giraffe, and the shoots by elephant.
Human uses - The wood is generally not used as most trees are infected with woodborers.
Gardening - This is not a general garden tree as it needs specific clay soils. While being fairly drought-resistant, it is susceptible to frost. The tree can be easily grown from seed, but is slow growing.
Leaves - Twice compound, with the pair of leaflets at the tip, opposite, broadly elliptic to heart-shaped, The leaves are larger than those of most common Acacia species. They are red when young, turning dark green when mature, and yellow in autumn. (Leaf: 60 mm; leaflet: 10 x 6 mm)
Flowers - These are not the typical powder puff of most false-thorns. Inconspicuous flowers, white, with prominent red stamens, appear after the leaves from October to December. (30 mm diameter)
Pods - Long flat, green, bean-like pods ripen in autumn, March to June, when they become brown in colour. (120 x 16 mm)
Best places to see the Many-Stemmed False-Thorn in Southern Africa:
The Many-Stemmed False-Thorn is found in the Kruger National Park in the Delagoa Thorn Thickets ecozone.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
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The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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