Scientific Name
Vachellia karroo (Hayne) Banfi & Galasso
Common Name(s)
Sweet Thorn, Common Acacia, Karoo Thorn
Synonym(s)
Acacia karroo, Acacia capensis, Acacia dekindtiana, Acacia hirtella, Acacia inconflagrabilis, Acacia reticulata, Mimosa reticulata
Scientific Classification
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Tribe: Acacieae
Genus: Vachellia
Flower
Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Early summer
Description
Vachellia karroo is a shrub or small to medium-sized tree that grows up to 40 feet (12 m) tall. It has a rounded crown, branching fairly low down on the trunk. It is variable in shape and size. The bark is red on young branches, darkening and becoming rough with age. Sometimes, an attractive reddish color can be seen in the deep bark fissures. The leaves are finely textured and dark green. The thorns are paired, grayish to white, and are long and straight. On mature trees, the thorns may be quite short.
The flowers appear in early summer in a mass of yellow pompons. The seed pods are narrow, flat, and crescent-shaped. They are green when young, becoming brown and dry.
How to Grow and Care
Acacia requires full sunlight and grows in nearly any type of soil, including sand, clay, or highly alkaline or acidic soil. Although Acacia prefers well-drained soil, it tolerates muddy soil for short periods. Acacia is basically a plant-it-and-forget-it type of tree, although a young tree may need wildlife protection while developing its defense system. During the first year, the tree benefits from an orchid fertilizer every three to four weeks. After that time, you can feed the tree a general-purpose fertilizer once every year, but it isn't an absolute requirement. Acacia requires little or no water.
Acacia may need occasional pruning during the dry months. Avoid pruning leafy, green areas, and trim only dead growth.
Although the tree is disease-resistant, it can sometimes be affected by a fungal disease known as anthracnose. Additionally, watch for pests such as aphids, thrips, mites, and scales.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Acacia.
Origin
Vachellia karroo is native to southern Africa from southern Angola east to Mozambique and south to South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Vachellia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
