Umbrella thorn

Visitors to the Kunene Region, the far north of Namibia and the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) will surely see the Umbrella Thorn, a common tree that grows in savannah woodland and grassland. It is a small to medium or large (5-20m) deciduous tree, usually single-stemmed, with a flat, spreading crown. Older trees have a characteristic flat crown and the bark is rough, grey-black. Thorns are either in hooked or straight pairs, or in mixed pairs. Leaves are twice compound and are amongst the smallest in the acacias, with very fine leaflets, up to 2mm long. Flowers are in small, white balls the pods are spirally twisted, creamy-brown and hang in clusters.

The bark, leaves and pods provide good fodder for livestock and game and the gum is eaten by animals and people alike. The green seeds attract parrots, monkeys and baboons. The wood is a useful all-purpose timber and makes great firewood. The bark is used to make rope and is used in traditional medicine.

The umbrellas thorn is grown from seed and is drought and frost resistant.