''Senegalia mellifera'' is a common thorn tree in Africa. 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 Swarthaak (

Afrikaans Afrikaans (, ) is a West Germanic language that evolved in the Dutch Cape Colony from the Dutch vernacular of Holland proper (i.e., the Hollandic dialect) used by Dutch, French, and German settlers and their enslaved people. Afrikaans gra ...

). It is listed as being not threatened.ILDIS LegumeWeb
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Distribution

''Senegalia mellifera'' is found in the dry areas of

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

and the Arabian Peninsula.

Characteristics

''Senegalia mellifera'' can occur either as a multi-trunked bush up to seven metres high with more or less a funnel-shaped crown, or as a single-trunked tree that can reach a height of up to nine metres. It can form an impenetrable

thicket A thicket is a very dense stand of trees or tall shrubs, often dominated by only one or a few species, to the exclusion of all others. They may be formed by species that shed large numbers of highly viable seeds that are able to germinate in t ...

s. In some areas of Africa, it is considered an invasive species as it can expand into and cover large areas of farmland.

Uses

In Africa, ''Senegalia mellifera'' is used as fencing, livestock feed and building material for huts. It flowers are sources of nectar for honey-producing bees. The wood is prized also for fuel and making charcoal.Trees of Kenya, Tim Noad and Ann Birnie (1989) It is widely used in traditional African medicine. The plant contains the psychoactive chemical DMT.

Animal uses

This tree is an important feed resource for both cattle and wild animals especially in dry areas of Africa. The leaves and young branches are very nutritious, containing a high percentage of protein. The flowers are often eaten by

kudu The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus '' Tragelaphus'': * Lesser kudu, ''Tragelaphus imberbis'', of eastern Africa * Greater kudu, ''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'', of eastern and southern Africa The two species look similar, th ...

. Common browsers of the tree include elephants,

black rhino The black rhinoceros, black rhino or hook-lipped rhinoceros (''Diceros bicornis'') is a species of rhinoceros, native to eastern and southern Africa including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania ...

, giraffe and the eland. ''Acacia mellifera'' leaves can constitute an important part of goat diets.Heuzé V., Tran G., 2015. Black thorn (Acacia mellifera). Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/347 Last updated on October 28, 2015, 13:20

References

General references

* Wikipedia (German) "Schwarzdorn-Akazie"
''Acacia mellifera'': A Guide to trees (Safari Holiday Guide)

Notes

External links

* mellifera Plants used in traditional African medicine Trees of Africa Flora of the Arabian Peninsula Forages {{medicinal-plant-stub