Acacia mellifera

Acacia mellifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Acacia
Species: A. mellifera
Binomial name
Acacia mellifera
Range of Acacia mellifera
Synonyms
  • Mimosa mellifera M. Vahl[1]

Acacia mellifera is a perennial tree which is listed as being not threatened.[1] The name mellifera refers to its sweet-smelling blossoms and honey. Its lumber turns pitch black when oiled. Common names of the tree include Blackthorn and Swaarthaak (Afrikaans).

Contents

Distribution

Acacia mellifera is found in the dry areas of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, India and in the Indian Ocean area.[1]

Characteristics

Acacia mellifera can manifest itself either as a multi-trunked bush up to seven meters high with more or less a funnel-shaped crown, but also as a small single-trunked tree, which can reach a height of up to nine meters. This kind of acacia can reproduce by seed formation and by stick excursion to form an impenetrable thicket of several hundred individuals. In some areas of Southern Africa, it is considered an invasive species as it can grow and consume large ares of farmland.

Uses

In the dry regions of Africa, Acacia mellifera is used, among other things, as fencing, feed and building material for huts. In some places, the blossom nectar is used as food. The wood is prized for fuel and making charcoal [2]

Animal uses

This tree is an important food resource for both cattle and wild animals especially in dry areas of Africa as the leaves and young branches are very nutritious containing a high percentage of protein. The flowers are often eaten by kudu. Common browsers of the tree include black rhino, giraffe and the eland.

Subspecies

References

General references

Notes

  1. ^ a b c ILDIS LegumeWeb
  2. ^ Trees of Kenya, Tim Noad and Ann Birnie (1989) ISBN 9966-84895-9
  3. ^ ILDIS

External links