Umbrella Thorn Acacia tortillis

• The tree is found in dry valley scrub and in bushland in Natal.
• The Umbrella Thorn is one of the most widely distributed Acacia's.
• This tree can be found in Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Tranvaal, Orange Free State and the Cape.
• The tree has been described in Egypt and Arabia 200 years ago.
• The bark has a rough feel and is grey to black in colour.
• The tree has a combination of one straight thorn with a small hooked thorn alongside.
• The thorns are thin and grow in pairs.
• The flowers form in clusters on old wood.
• The flowers themselves are creamy, white, balls.
• The pods are a distinctive pale, gold brown colour and are curled and twisted.
• It is said that stands of this tree show areas of good soil and good grasses.
• The pods and leaves are high in nutrition and are browsed by game and livestock.
• Vervet Monkeys and Baboons eat young green pods; other animals eat those, which fall to the ground.
• The gum of the Umbrella Thorn is edible.
• The bark is used for medicinal purposes.