Flat-topped Thorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Flat-topped Thorn
• Paper-bark Thorn
• flat-top-thorn
• paperbark-horn
• umbrella-thorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia sieberiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Vachellia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several nations in West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Burkina. Additionally, its range extends into the territory of Gambia. The species is also documented to occur in Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its presence is noted within the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vachellia sieberiana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically classified under both phanerophyte life form categories, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches well above the ground level, which is a key structural adaptation for its survival. This growth strategy ensures that its meristematic tissues are protected and positioned to maximize light interception within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vachellia sieberiana is characterized by a robust woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. This species exhibits significant vertical development, with an average plant height of approximately 15 m and the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 21.336 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than an epiphytic one. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing habits of obligatory or facultative climbers.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

21.33625945 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vachellia sieberiana is characterized by complex metabolic processes adapted to its specific environmental niche, involving efficient photosynthetic pathways and specialized nutrient acquisition strategies. A key physiological attribute of this species is its interaction with soil microorganisms; specifically, it functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation (trait_1: nitrogen fixer; trait_2: nitrogen_fix_1; trait_value: yes). This capability allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its growth in nitrogen-limited substrates. Furthermore, its physiological framework includes robust water-use efficiency and adaptive transpiration rates that allow it to maintain cellular turgor and metabolic homeostasis under fluctuating environmental stressors.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vachellia sieberiana is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, primarily facilitated by insects, with a specific reliance on bees to ensure successful fertilization. The plant produces seeds with varying dimensions, exhibiting a seed mass that ranges from a minimum of 0.1192 g to a maximum of 0.338 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.256872 g. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the species utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it employs mechanisms for self-dispersal to spread its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.338 g

Seed mass mean:

0.256872 g

Seed mass min:

0.1192 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vachellia sieberiana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Vachellia sieberiana has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ETHYL ACETATE, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Saponins, Tannins.

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Glycosides

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Saponins

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Tannins

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Triterpenes

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Vachellia sieberiana has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Vachellia sieberiana has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate root extract, root bark extract.

Ethyl acetate root extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root bark extract

1. Frontiers in pharmacology