Acacia abyssinica abyssinica

Acacia abyssinica abyssinica

Common Names

Flat Top Acacia, Nyanga Flat Top, Umbrella thorn (english)

Taxonomy

Family FABACEAE
Genus Acacia
Species abyssinica
Sub Specie abyssinica
SA Plant Number
Basionym Acacia abyssinica abyssinica

Description

Acacia abyssinica (=Vachellia abyssinica) is a hardy, deciduous (in Gauteng) to semi-deciduous, large tree that develops a distinctly flat top. The very dark brown to black bark is papery and peels off in big pieces on younger trees.

Fine, feathery leaves make up the spreading, flat crown. The white puff-ball like flowers are borne in spring and summer, and these develop into fairly small, narrow, straight leathery seed pods.

Insects and insect-eating birds are attracted to the garden by the flowers of this tree. The flaky bark also provides habitat for insects that birds love to eat.

Give this tree plenty of space to spread its canopy which provides light shade in a large garden. Spreading roots make it unsuitable for planting near buildings. Drought tolerant, will grow on degraded land and along gullies. It makes good firewood but the hard wood is difficult to work. Grows best in full sun, in well drained soil.

Size: up to 16m.

Seeds

Lifestyle Seeds may have stock of Acacia abyssinica abyssinica seeds.

Wildlife

Attracts insects: Pollinating insects are drawn to the pollen rich, puffball like flowers. The flaky bark of the tree also creates great hiding places for insects.

Birds: Insectivorous birds are drawn to this tree by the copious number of pollinating insects during flowering time. Birds are also often seen prying under the loose and peeling bark for insects and insect grubs and larvae.

Uses

Landscaping: A beautiful, quintessentially African tree to provide light shade in a large garden.

Farming: Firewood, charcoal, poles, posts, tool handles, food (edible gum), medicine, fodder, bee forage, shade (for cattle), nitrogen fixation, soil conservation, fence (cut branches).

Distribution

From Ethiopia southwards to Zimbabwe and Mozambique and westwards to Angola

Habitat High altitude woodland, forested mountain gullies

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