Acacia karroo     
Karroo thorn acacia    
Fabaceae Family     

Form: multi-stemmed shrub or small tree
Seasonality: semi-evergreen; may retain leaves in mild winters
Size: 6-12ft with equal spread
Leaves: bipinnately compound with tiny leaves
Flowers: in late spring; fragrant yellow flowers in clusters
Fruit: narrow 5in long seed pods
Stems/Trunks: dark trunk; 3in white thorns
Range/Origin: South Africa
Hardiness: to mid teens, damaged if cold temps are prolonged

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• patio tree, where thorns are not a problem
• thorny hedge
• erosion control

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun to partial shade
• Water: natural rainfall once established; every month during prolonged dry spells
• Soil: tolerant
• Propagation: seed
• Maintenance: little to none; pod cleanup; train when young to single-trunked tree if desired

Research by Master Gardener Paul Ellis

NOTES:

can be invasive

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This page was first created March 27, 2004 and last modified May 15, 2004.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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