Acacia polyacantha

Acacia polyacantha Willd. subsp. campylacantha (A.Rich.) Brenan

Common names

White thorn (English); chibombo, chunganunsyi, kalume-kamukanunsyi, muungu, mangobe, myungachikoba, munganunsyi, mutandafiwa (Bemba/Bisa)

The specific Latin name means ‘many thorns’ while the sub-species name means ‘curved thorns’. The English name refers to the pale bark of this tree.

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A tall tree, up to 20 m in height. Bark distinctive pale, flaky or peeling. Thorns hooked, in pairs, straw-coloured to brown or blackish, 4-12 mm long. Leaves compound, with 13-40 pairs of pinnae, each bearing 26-66 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets typically 2-5 x 0.5-0.75 mm. Flowers cream or white in spikes, 6-12.5 cm long (Sept-Dec). Fruit dehiscent, flattened brown pods (7-18 x 1-2 cm) persist on the tree during the dry season, and hang down in large bunches.

Range and habitat

Acacia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha is widespread in tropical Africa. Subsp. polyacantha occurs in Asia. In the Luangwa valley, Acacia polyacantha is found in valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket on levees and on the sand deposits of rivers.