Sweet Thorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sweet Thorn
• karroothorn
• karrothorn
• sweet-thorn
• Acacia
• Cape Acacia
• Cape Mimosa
• Cape Thorn
• Cape Thorn Tree
• Cape Thorn-Tree
• Cape gum
• Gum-Arabic Tree
• Karoo Mimosa
• Karoo Thorn
• Mimosa Gum Arabic Tree
• Mimosa Thorn
• Sour Thorn
• Sour-Thorn
• Sweet Thorn Acacia
• Sweet-Thorn Acacia
• Thorn Tree
• Umbrella thorn tree
• White Galled Acacia
• White Whistling Thorn
• White-Thorn
• Whitethorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimosa capensis
• Acacia hirtella
• Mimosa reticulata
• Acacia dekindtiana
• Acacia karroo var. transvaalensis
• Acacia reticulata
• Acacia horrida var. transvaalensis
• Acacia inconflagrabilis
• Acacia karroo
• Acacia hirtella var. inermis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vachellia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions within Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, which are part of the Baleares archipelago. Its range also extends to the island of Corse and the territory of Sardegna. Additionally, the species is present in Portugal. Finally, it is documented as growing within the borders of Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vachellia karroo is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit a vast vertical expanse across its distribution. This species can be found at elevations ranging from as low as 3 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 2406 m AMSL. Such a broad elevational range suggests that the plant is capable of thriving in both lowland coastal or riverine environments and much higher, potentially more temperate or montane regions. This wide ecological amplitude enables the species to occupy various niche habitats, adjusting to different temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability as it climbs from sea level to high-altitude mountain landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2406 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vachellia karroo is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage continuously rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vacchellia karroo is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, which allows it to manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a self-supporting, terrestrial species, it does not function as a climber, epiphyte, or parasite, maintaining an independent existence within its habitat. The plant's stature is quite variable, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 22 meters, though it typically reaches an average height of approximately 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

22 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vacchellia karroo is characterized by its specialized metabolic and nutrient-acquisition processes adapted to arid environments. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a common mechanism for woody species in diverse climatic conditions. Furthermore, it functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria in its root nodules that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vacchellia karroo is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. The resulting seeds vary in mass, with a minimum weight of 0.0085 g, a maximum of 0.0543 g, and a calculated mean seed mass of 0.033688 g. Furthermore, the seed volume remains highly consistent, with both the minimum, maximum, and mean values recorded at 0.11 mm³. Once produced, the seeds are distributed via an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, allowing for a broad method of movement within its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0543 g

Seed mass mean:

0.033688 g

Seed mass min:

0.0085 g

Seed volume max:

0.11 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vachellia karroo has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Root

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Chemicals

Vachellia karroo has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Phytosterols, Proanthocyanidin, Tannin.

Flavonoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Phenols

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Phytosterols

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Proanthocyanidin

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Tannin

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Terpenes

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Activities

Vachellia karroo has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimalarial, Antioxidant.

Analgesic

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antibacterial

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antifungal

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antimalarial

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antioxidant

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Preparations

Vachellia karroo has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include herbal medicine.

Herbal medicine

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine