Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
blackthorn
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Senegalia mellifera
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Hook thorn is a thorny, low branched tree with a rounded canopy that typically grows to 19 (and occasionally up to 26 feet) high (1,2,3,4). The bark of the tree is fissured vertically and is light brown to gray in color (1,2,3,4,5). Young branches are rigid with small white lenticels that makes the tree easily identifiably (2,3,4). The thorns of the tree are short, strongly curved, and appear in pairs at the nodes (1,2,3,4,5,6). The leaves are bipinnately compound with 2-4 pairs of pinnae and 1-2 pairs of obliquely obovate, blue-green leaflets (1,2,3,4,5,6). The main vein as secondary venation are visible on both sides of the leaves (4,5). On this deciduous tree, the leaves are shed after the first frost (2,3,4,6). The flowers are small, spherical, sweet-scented and cream colored (1,2,3,4,5,6). The simple indeterminate inflorescence with sessile flowers is round to slightly elongated (2,3,4). Fruits are flattened, dry dehiscent legume pods that mature to pale brown (1,2,3,4,5). The pods narrow slightly at both ends and are typically 2.5cm in length with 2 to 3 seeds per legume (1,2,3,4).
Compound:
sen mel
Geographic Origin:
Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Hook thorn has a wide distribution from northeast to southern Africa including countries in western Asia (1,2,3,4,5,6). The subspecies mellifera is of Latin origin, meaning honey-bearing and refers to the fragrant flowers of the species (2,3,5). The subspecies name comes from the Latin word detino, meaning to hold back, and refers to the unwelcoming nature of the vicious thorns (3).
Cultivation Notes:
The shallow rooted species is typically found in tree, shrub, and bush savannas (2,4,5). The tree can withstand a variety of soil types but does best in soils rich in calcium with good drainage (1,3). Hook thorn is known to form extensive and impenetrable thickets on poorly managed pastures, the areas are typically characterized by bare ground and soil erosion due to the shallowness of the roots (2,4,5). The blackthorn tree is not highly cultivated in the United States but has great potential due to its drought resistance and attractive cream flowers.
Ethnobotany:
The heavy wood of hook thorn is perfect for crafting fenceposts, axe, and pick handles (2,3,4,5). Hook thorn is a preferred firewood due to its ability to cleanly burn (2,4). The fruit, flowers, and foliage of hook thorn are highly nutritious for wildlife (2,3,4,5,6). A crude protein level of around 27% can be obtained from the leaves (2,3). Hook thorn is also a valued source of nectar for honeybees (2)
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Cream
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Ross, J.H. (1979) A Conspectus of the African Acacia Species. Botanical Research Institute.
- Timberlake, Jonathan. (1980). Handbook of Botswana acacias. Ministry of Agriculture.
- Timberlake, Fagg, Barnes. (1999). Field Guide to the Acacias of Zimbabwe. CBC Publishing
- https://treesa.org/senegalia-mellifera-2/
- http://pza.sanbi.org/senegalia-mellifera-subsp-detinens
- https://arboretum.arizona.edu/research/desert-legume-tree-rescue
- https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/2328
