Acacia nigrescens

Acacia nigrescens Oliv.

Common names

Knob thorn (English); mukunku, kankande, nayula, nkundu (Nyanja); nyamaponondwe (Kunda)

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A tree up to 30 m high with conspicuous knobs on the branches and the boles of young trees, although these are often absent on older tree trunks. Bark dark brown or black, vertically fissured. Thorns curved and in pairs, blackish (2.5-7 mm long). Leaves compound, distinctive, with 2-4 pairs of pinnae, each bearing 1-2 pairs of large leaflets. Leaflets typically 10-35 x 7-30 mm, asymmetrically rounded. Flowers white or cream spikes 1-10 cm long (Aug-Nov). Fruit darkish brown, dehiscent pods, 6-18 x 1.5-2.5 cm (Jan-June).

Range and habitat

Acacia nigrescens occurs from Tanzania southwards. In the Luangwa Valley it is found in riverine fringe woodland and thicket on levees and on clay-rich soils. Also in mopane woodland.