Acacia nilotica subsp. kraussiana (Egyptian Thorn)


Botanical Information

FamilyFabaceae
GenusAcacia
Speciesnilotica
Subspecieskraussiana
CategoryTropicals
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginNative to Africa.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Firewood while the bark is used to treat coughs.

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)18 - 28
Height2.5 - 10 m
Flowering PeriodJanuary, October, November, December

Description and Growing Information

ShapeUpright, tall and spreading.
PropagationSeed.
CultivationFull sun and partial-shade. Well-drained and moist soils with a pH of 5.0 - 9.0. Prefers alluvial and heavy clay soils.
PestsStem borer may be a problem.
Bark/Stem DescriptionDeeply fissured. The branches are spreading forming a flat, dense crown.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are bipinnate, 30 - 40 mm long with 7 - 25 pairs of leaflets that are 1.5 - 7 mm long. Thorns are thin, straight in axillary pairs, 3 - 12 pairs that are 5 - 7.5 cm long in new growth. Mature trees do not have thorns.
Flower DescriptionSpherical heads on new growth that are 1.2 - 1.5 cm wide.
Fruit DescriptionPods, distinctive, constricted between seeds. Straight or slightly curved, 5 - 15 cm long on a pedicel with constrictions between the seeds. Appears like a string of pearls.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is dark brown. The flowers are yellow. The seeds are green and become black when ripe. The leaves are green.
Texture DescriptionThe bark is rough in texture.

Photographs