Acacia erioloba |
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Acacia erioloba Camel Thorn Seeds and pods |
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Scientific
classification
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Binomial name |
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Acacia erioloba |
Plants
of the genus Alhagi are also sometimes called camelthorns or camel thorns
Acacia erioloba (formerly Acacia giraffae), and
commonly known as the Camel Thorn (Kameeldoring in Afrikaans) or Giraffe
Thorn, is a thorn acacia native to the drier parts of Southern Africa - the
Transvaal, western Free State, northern Cape Province, Botswana and Namibia. It
can grow up to 17 metres high. It was described by William John Burchell,
however Jacobus Coetse already named the tree in 1760, some 50 years earlier.
The name refers to the fact
that giraffe (kameelperd in Afrikaans) commonly graze on the
hard-to-reach succulent leaves normally out of reach of smaller animals. Giraffe
are partial to all acacias and possess a specially-adapted tongue and lips that
can cope with the vicious thorns. It also grows ear-shaped pods, which are
favoured by a large number of herbivores including cattle. The wood is dark
reddish-brown in colour and extremely dense and strong. Unfortunately it is a
very good fuel, which leads to widespread clearing of dead trees and the
felling of healthy trees. It is slow-growing, very hardy to drought and fairly
frost-resistant.
According to superstition, lighting
will strike at A. erioloba more readily than other trees. It is also
possible to roast the seeds to be used as a substitute for coffee beans.