Acacia mellifera - Black Thorn - Swaarthaak

Home > Safari Planner  > Trees  > Acacia mellifera

The Acacia mellifera is generally a low branched tree that can be multi-stemmed. Leaves bipinnately compound (twice divided) Spines present, at least some, if not all recurved.

The word Acacia comes from Acantha which means Thorn
The species name: Mellifera means “honey bearing” and refers to the flowers.

Flowers: Spring

Features of the Black Thorn (Swaarthaak) or Acacia mellifera

• The black thorn acacia grows in large uniform groups especially in disturbed and overgrazed areas.
• Small low branching tree, dense tangled canopy.
• Hooked thorns are black
• Creamy white flower – balls cover the tree in spring before the leaves appear.

Pods: Flat bean pods are papery, dehiscent.

Animals uses for the Acacia mellifera

• Valuable fodder tree on game and cattle farms
• The leaves, young branchlets and pods are very nutritious containing a high percentage of protein.
• Browsed by Black Rhino, Giraffe, Eland, Kudu and many others.
• Flowers eaten by Kudu

 

Human uses for the Black Thorn or Swaarthaak

• Wood used for axe and pick handles.
• Heartwood is termite and borer proof, larger stems therefore make excellent fencing posts
• Sap was mixed with a powdered grub for use on Khoisan poison arrows.
• Gum is edible and sometimes mixed with clay to make floors.
• Extractions made from roots used for stomach pains and to treat gonorrhoea.
• Extracts from roots and leaves used to treat colds, eye inflammation, diarrhoea and bleeding.

 

Notes:

• The Black Tharon can form impenetrable thickets
• Anti biosis.
• Legumes.
• Bush splits very early, often splits when it dies.
• The Acacia mellifera does not live long (about 10 years.)