Vachellia borleae

Botanical Name

Vachellia borleae (Burtt Davy) Kyalangalilwa & Boatwright

Common Name(s)

  • sticky acacia
  • uSagu (Zulu)
  • revivi (Thonga)

Synonyms

Legume Clades

Caesalpinioideae , Mimosoid Clade , Core Mimosoids , Parkia Clade , Vachellia

Native Geographic Range

  • Southern Africa

IUCN Status

LC (Least concern)
See IUCN Red List Assessment

Growth Form

shrub

Cultivation Status in AZ

Uniquely cultivated by DELEP

Description

Cold- and drought-deciduous shrubs to 10 ft (3 m) high. The bark is smooth and gray. Stems are armed with paired, slender, white spines at the nodes. Leaves are bipinnate with 2--10 pairs of pinnae, each with 5--18 pairs of small, dark green leaflets. Showy yellow flower heads are produced in the summer months.

Habitat

Native across a wide area of Africa from the Sahel through eastern Africa southward to South Africa. It is found in semiarid savanna and woodland habitats.

Uses

None reported.

Horticulture

Sticky acacia is not available from nurseries. The flowers are attractive and contrast with the white spines and dark green foliage. Established plants are drought tolerant. This species appears to be hardy to 18° F (-7.7° C). Litter is minimal.