Umbrella Thorn
Vachellia tortilis
- Native to:
- Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina, Caprivi Strip, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gulf States, Kenya, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Diego Delso (www.wikidata.org),Diego Delso (www.wikidata.org),Diego Delso (www.wikidata.org),Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Vachellia
- Species:
- Vachellia tortilis
- USDA Symbol:
- VATO
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 2100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream, yellow
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, mammals, bees, giraffes, antelopes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and stem base after fire. Thick bark provides some fire protection on mature specimens.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Hard seed coat requires scarification (hot water treatment or mechanical nicking) for successful germination. Seeds germinate readily after treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI