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Camel thorn (Vachellia erioloba)
Photo: I (user Neelix) am the originator of this photo, and hold the copyright. I release it to the public domain, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 3 countries tree

Camel thorn

Vachellia erioloba

Family: Fabaceae

On our map this plant appears in 3 countries and ranks highest in: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa.

The camel thorn is a spreading acacia up to 15 m tall, with an umbrella-shaped crown, formidable white thorns and thick, crescent-shaped pods grey with fine down. Its roots reach several tens of metres into the ground to tap groundwater, allowing the tree to survive on the driest sands. It provides shade and food: antelope, elephants and cattle eagerly eat the pods, and weaver birds build huge communal nests in the crowns. The hard wood is prized as firewood.

Description from: Namibia.

More: Wikipedia (en) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Namibia no. 3 of 8 native

    At Deadvlei near Sossusvlei, the dead trunks of these acacias, which died when the dunes cut off their water supply, have stood for several hundred years without decaying in the dry climate.

  2. Botswana no. 7 of 8 native

    The mogotlho is one of the most characteristic trees of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana – people and animals rest in its shade, and sociable weavers build huge communal nests in its branches.

  3. South Africa no. 12 of 15 native

    The kameeldoring is a protected species in South Africa, and its silhouette against red dunes is associated with the Kgalagadi park and the whole Northern Cape.