Egyptian Thorn
Vachellia nilotica
- Native to:
- Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf States, India, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
J.M.Garg
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Vachellia
- Species:
- Vachellia nilotica
- USDA Symbol:
- VANI4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 2000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Apotoforma rotundipennis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds, livestock browse
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire or cutting. Common in fire-prone savannas of Africa and Asia.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained clay or loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in riverine and floodplain areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have hard seed coat requiring scarification (hot water treatment or mechanical scarification). Germinates readily after treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI