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Acacia hebeclada

Scientific Name: Acacia hebeclada

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Acacia hebeclada

Acacia hebeclada is a shrub or small tree found in Southern Africa.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is commonly referred to as "Chobe Thorn" or "Candle Thorn," indicating the presence of thorns.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is commonly referred to as "Chobe Thorn" or "Candle Thorn," indicating the presence of thorns.

Common Names

  • Candle Thorn
  • Chobe Thorn
  • River Candle
  • River Candle Thorn
  • Trassiebos (Afrikaans)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Acacia hebeclada DC.
  • Family: Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (Fabaceae)
  • Synonym: Currently, the accepted name is now Vachellia hebeclada (DC.) Kyal. & Boatwr.
  • Subspecies:
    • Acacia hebeclada subsp. hebeclada
    • Acacia hebeclada subsp. chobiensis (O.B. Miller) A. Schreiber
    • Acacia hebeclada subsp. tristis (Welw. ex Oliv.) Schreib.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Acacia hebeclada is widespread across Southern Africa.
  • It's the most common naturally occurring acacia in the Free State National Botanical Garden.
  • It is found on calcium-rich Kalahari sand, usually on clayey deposits in dune slacks, and is associated with Pleistocene dune fields.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a shrub to small tree, typically reaching up to 6-7 meters in height, but can reach 8m.
  • It is deciduous and very variable.
  • The branching often starts very near the ground.
  • The bark is dark grey.
  • It has feathery leaves typical of acacias, with deeply green leaflets.
  • The flowers are scented and cream-colored.
  • It flowers in spring.

Ecological Role

  • Often gregarious, forming small low thickets.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The seed is frequently destroyed by beetles and other insects.

Additional Information

  • It is frost hardy and drought resistant.
  • The plant was described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1825, and the name is considered validly published.

Further Resources

  • Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S.
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K), Herbarium Collection, Flora Capensis
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera checklist
  • Namibia Biodiversity Database
  • IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
  • Australian Plant Name Index
  • NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Herbarium
  • B and T World Seeds' database