Cape Thorn Tree

Vachellia karroo

Physical Characteristics

Vachellia karroo is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Southern Africa, from the Cape as far north as Angola and Kenya.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Coffee Gum The gum is eaten as a confection[303 ]. The roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee[303 ]. Children chew the sweet thorns[303 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antirheumatic Aphrodisiac Emetic A root infusion is taken by local people to treat pain in the alimentary canal, rheumatism, convulsions, gonorrhoea and as an aphrodisiac[303 ]. Root powder is applied to penile sores for treating syphilis[303 ]. A bark decoction is an emetic for treating diarrhoea[303 ].

Known Hazards

None known