Leguminosae-mim Acacia haematoxylon Willd.

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Keywords in this picture :

• Foliage
• Leaflet
• Vegetative
• Leaf parts
• Leaf
• Parts of compound lvs
• Plant parts

Species information

Interest
The distinctive red heartwood is said to be of fine quality and suitable for making musical instruments (Lichtenstein (1815) in his Travels in southern Africa, cited in Ross 1975). Like Acacia erioloba it is a useful firewood and much sort after fodder (particularly the velvety grey indehiscent pods). The grey camel thorn is a tree of economic importance in the southern Kalahari region. The wood is the second best source of firewood (after Acacia erioloba) in this region where fuelwood is scarce. The wood is hard and used extensively for timber and for construction. The wood is reputed to be excellent for making wind musical instruments (Palmer & Pitman 1972). Said to produce an edible gum and fruit.

Other Notes
Common names: Basterkameeeldoring, Vaaldoring, Vaalkameeldoring (Africaans), Mokholo (Tswana), Grey camel thorn (English) (Carr 1976, Smit 1999). Species characteristics: Mostly encounted as a shrub 2-4 meters tall, this species will develop into a tree to 10 m tall with a rounded open crown, and with distinctive grey foliage. Its densely grey tomentose leaves has leaflets so small and compacted that the pinnae resemble linear leaflets. A very distinctive species it hybridises with A. erioloba. Occurs mostly on Kalahari sand formations, along drainage lines such as between dunes. Distribution: Botswana (Kgalagadi, South western); South Africa (Transvaal, Cape, Twee Rivieren, Kimberly); Namibia (Rehoboth, Windhoek, Gobabis, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Karasburg). Specimen total: 74 Degree squares: 24 Collection years: 1800-1991 Phenology : Flowering period: Feb(1), Oct(2), Nov(1), Dec(1); Fruiting period: Feb(1), Mar(2), Apr(1), May(3), Sep(1) Altitude range: 120- (1000 - 1280) -1280m

Specimen information

Collector
PS

Specimen Number
s.n.