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Acacia galpinii

Scientific Name: Acacia galpinii

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Acacia galpinii: The Monkey Thorn

Acacia galpinii, commonly known as the Monkey Thorn or Apiesdoring (in Afrikaans), is a large deciduous tree native to Southern and Eastern Africa. It's a fast-growing, long-lived species admired for its rounded canopy and spreading branches.

Considerations for Pets

  • Prickles: This tree has prickles in opposite pairs that are short, broad, and hooked.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acacia galpinii Burtt Davy
  • Common Names: Monkey Thorn (English), Apiesdoring (Afrikaans), Mokgapa, Tshikwalo
  • Family: Fabaceae (pod-bearing plant family)
  • Subfamily: Mimosoideae
  • Synonym: Senegalia galpinii (Likely ID)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Acacia galpinii is found in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and northern South Africa.
  • In Namibia, it occurs naturally along the riverbanks of the eastern Zambezi region.
  • It grows naturally on riverbanks and smaller drainage lines in semi-arid areas of Southern Africa.
  • It can also be found in woodland, wooded grassland, bushveld, and on termite mounds.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Deciduous tree, losing its leaves during the southern African winter (April-July).
  • Fast-growing and can reach 25-30 meters in height.
  • Has a rounded canopy and widely spreading branches.
  • The bark is pale yellow and flaky.
  • Flowers are arranged in long, slender spikes, cream to pale yellow.
  • Has a tap root system.

Ecology

  • It is a producer in its ecosystem and can be found in savanna woodland.

Phytochemistry

  • Research has identified trimeric proteracacinidins and (6--&gt6)- bis-leucoteracacinidin in Acacia galpinii.
  • (4--&gt6)-Coupled proteracacinidins and promelacacinidins have also been found in this species.
  • The heartwood extracts of Acacia galpinii contain a considerable structural diversity.

Quirky Facts

  • The common name, Monkey Thorn, is thought to refer to the tendency of monkeys to use the tree.

Further Information

  • Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
  • International Plant Names Index