Acacia, Sweethorn
Umungu (Zulu), Moshaoka
(Tswana), Umnga (Xhosa), Soetdoring (Afrikaans)
Acacia karroo
Family: Fabaceae
Spreading, multi-stemmed shrub or tree to 45 feet. Native to
South Africa. The Sweethorn Acacia is a very fast-growing shade tree,
growing to 20 feet in three years. It is easily propogated from seed,
bearing clusters of tiny flowers arranged in large, bright-yellow balls.
These attractive flowers give way to long, twisted pods. The bark
of the tree is very high in tannic acid, and has been used traditionally
for tanning leather and as a tea for stemming diarrhea. When scarified,
the trunk exudes a clear gum which is of commercial value as an anti-diarrhetic
medicine and food stabilizer. Cultivation: Easy.
Seeds germinate readily, but must be scarified before planting in a warm
place. Rub through seedcoat with sand paper or sandstone. Grow
seedlings out in gallon containers for a year before transplanting to landscape.
Not hardy below 20 degrees F. Best suited to California, Arizona
and the South. Plant trees at least 20 feet apart. Prefers
dry, average to poor soils and full sun.
Return
to Herb Seed Index