Acacia karroo Bonsai seed Common names: Sweet thorn or Soetdoring
Family: Fabaceae  This is one of South Africa's most beautiful and useful trees. It is integrally part of our country's history having been used for everything from raft-making to sewing needles and fencing for the houses of the royal Zulu women. The thorns were even used by early naturalists to pin the insects they collected! It is very widespread throughout southern Africa and there are different forms in some places, which can be confusing. Acacia karroo may be found from the Western Cape through to Zambia and Angola. In tropical Africa it is replaced by Acacia seyal. The name Acacia is derived from Greek "akis" a point or barb. Karroo is one of the old spellings of karoo which cannot be corrected because of the laws governing botanical nomenclature (giving of names).
Acacia karroo has a rounded crown, branching fairly low down on the trunk. It is variable in shape and size, reaching a maximum of about 12m where there is good water. The bark is red on young branches, darkening and becoming rough with age. Sometimes an attractive reddish colour can be seen in the deep bark fissures The leaves are finely textured and dark green. The flowers appear in early summer in a mass of yellow pompoms. Many insects visit and pollinate these flowers. The seed pods are flat and crescent shaped, sometimes with constrictions between the seeds. They are green when young becoming brown and dry. The pods split open allowing the seeds to fall to the ground. The thorns are paired, greyish to white and are long and straight. On mature trees, the thorns may be quite short. They may be held at 90° to the stem or raked forward slightly. Technically the thorns are called "spines" and are developed from modified stipules (small, leaf-like scales, seen at the base of the leaf-stalk). In some other thorny acacia species, the thorns are not stipular in origin and are called "prickles". These originate in the epidermis ("skin") and are always short and curved, a bit like rose thorns. Thorns on African acacias are important for identification, they are divided into 5 main groups according the size, shape and position of the thorns.
The sweet thorn gets its common name from the gum which is exuded from wounds in the bark. This pleasant tasting gum is eaten by people and animals, including the Lesser Bushbaby which feeds exclusively on insects and gum from trees, particularly acacia trees. It also had commercial value in the past when the gum was exported as "Cape Gum" for making confectionery. This is apparently similar to gum arabic which is used as a water soluble glue.
Acacia karroo has a life span of 30-40 years and is an adaptable pioneer, able to establishing itself without shade, shelter or protection from grass fires. Once over a year old, seedlings can resprout after fire. Several fungi are associated with this tree and the crown of mature trees may be parasitized by various mistletoes, leading to the tree's decline. This tree has a long taproot which enables it to use water and nutrients from deep underground, this and its ability to fix nitrogen, lead to grasses and other plants thriving in its shade.
The sweet thorn has many medicinal uses rangingom wound poultices to eye treatments and cold remedies. The bark, leaves and gum are usually used. It is also used to treat cattle which have tulp poisoning (Homeria spp - bulbous plants which are poisonous to stock).
Let us guide you, through our knowledge and experience, so you too can have the confidence to start this rewarding hobby. We will supply you with the germination and care instructions for all our seeds and it is our mission to always deliver the best advice and go the extra mile to satisfy our fellow grower's needs. We have to warn you, it becomes a life-time hobby. The rewards are just overwhelming sometimes. Seeing the first seeds sprout and eventually turn into beautiful flowering plants or training a young tree, that you have grown from seed, into a bonsai is a truly amazing experience. It's an extension of yourself... a legacy. Something that, with proper care, will keep evolving and growing long after you're gone. The bid amount is for 1 Seed We'll supply you with all the germination & care instructions plus a FREE e-book with everything you'll ever need to know about the art of bonsai. See lots bonsai, succulent, carnivorous & other interesting, unusual & rare plant seeds by following the link below. Thanks. CLICK HERE |