Monkey thorn

Monkey-thorn: One of the rarest members of Namibia's Acacia clan is the monkey-thorn (Acacia galpinii). Found naturally along the banks of the Kwando River and Linyati Marshes, this is the tallest of the Namibian Acacia species often growing up to 30m high. Distinctive features of this deciduous tree include a rounded crown and a fluted trunk.

Other noticeable qualities of the A. galpinii are long, green, hairless leaves, a rough greyish-brown to yellowish bark and sharp thorns present on both the trunk and branches. Creamy-yellow, sweet-smelling flowers flourish prior to the leaves becoming visible from August to September. Reddish-brown seeds are housed in a pod which splits when mature.