Camel thorn
Acacia giraffae

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia.

Where it is found

It suits hardiness zones 9-11. It grows well in dry, well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The trunk is the source of an edible gum. The seeds are used as a coffee substitute.

Edible parts

Seeds - coffee, gum

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

This is probably a hybrid between Acacia erioloba and Acacia haematoxylon; Acacia erioloba E. Mey.;