Acacia mellifera
Encyclopedia
Acacia mellifera is a perennial tree which is listed as being not threatened. The name mellifera refers to its sweet-smelling blossoms and honey. Its lumber turns pitch black when oiled. Common names of the tree include Blackthorn and Swaarthaak (Afrikaans
).
, the Arabian Peninsula
, India
and in the Indian Ocean
area.
of several hundred individuals. In some areas of Southern Africa, it is considered an invasive species
as it can grow and consume large ares of farmland.
. Common browsers of the tree include black rhino, giraffe
and the eland
.
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
).
Distribution
Acacia mellifera is found in the dry areas of AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, the Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
area.
Characteristics
Acacia mellifera can manifest itself either as a multi-trunked bush up to seven meters high with more or less a funnel-shaped crown, but also as a small single-trunked tree, which can reach a height of up to nine meters. This kind of acacia can reproduce by seed formation and by stick excursion to form an impenetrable thicketThicket
A thicket is a very dense stand of trees or tall shrubs, often dominated by only one or a few species, to the exclusion of all others. They may be formed by species that shed large amounts of highly viable seeds that are able to germinate in the shelter of the maternal plants.In some conditions the...
of several hundred individuals. In some areas of Southern Africa, it is considered an invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
as it can grow and consume large ares of farmland.
Uses
In the dry regions of Africa, Acacia mellifera is used, among other things, as fencing, feed and building material for huts. In some places, the blossom nectar is used as food. The wood is prized for fuel and making charcoalAnimal uses
This tree is an important food resource for both cattle and wild animals especially in dry areas of Africa as the leaves and young branches are very nutritious containing a high percentage of protein. The flowers are often eaten by kuduKudu
The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus Tragelaphus:*Lesser Kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis*Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros- Etymology :...
. Common browsers of the tree include black rhino, giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
and the eland
Taurotragus
Taurotragus, commonly called Eland, is a genus of antelopes of the African savannah, containing two species: the Common Eland and the Giant Eland...
.
Subspecies
- Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth. subsp. detinens (Burchell) Brenan
- Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth. subsp. mellifera
General references
- Wikipedia (German) "Schwarzdorn-Akazie"
- Acacia mellifera: A Guide to trees (Safari Holiday Guide)
- http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/Gbase/DATA/Pf000122.htm