Umbrella thorn

The Tree of Ténéré belonged to this species – a lone acacia considered the most isolated tree on Earth, knocked down by a lorry in 1973.

A thorny acacia with a spreading, flat crown and small, pinnate leaflets whose small surface area limits water loss. It has pairs of thorns – long, white and straight ones as well as short, hooked ones – and its pods twist into spirals. A deep root system allows it to draw water from aquifers lying several dozen metres below the surface. After rain it bears small, fragrant flower heads, and its leaves and pods are eaten by camels, goats and antelopes.

Significance in the country

These acacias are the most important trees of desert Niger, growing in the valleys of the Aïr and in Saharan wadis. The skeleton of the Tree of Ténéré, for decades the only landmark on the salt caravan route to Bilma, was moved to the National Museum in Niamey, and a metal sculpture now stands in its place.

Where it grows

In the valleys of the Aïr Mountains and in the wadis of the Sahara in the Agadez region, and in the northern, driest part of the Sahel – in the Tahoua, Zinder and Diffa regions.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl)