IT is strange to think that the troublesome black wattle goes by the Latin name of Acacia mearnsii and is related to our wonderful African Acacias.
Unlike our lovely thorn trees, the wattle is thornless although it does have creamy globe flowers that remind tree lovers of its African relatives.
According to the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa) handbook on Invasive Alien Plants in KwaZulu-Natal, black wattles were introduced from Australia for shelter and firewood and for use in the tanning industry.
Because of their usefulness they are a Cara Category Two alien species, which means they can be grown under permit in controlled conditions.
However, they are a serious problem in our province where they have invaded extensive areas of our grasslands, forests, roadsides and water courses, to the detriment of our water supply and indigenous species.
It is a scary thought that seeds of the black wattle remain viable for 50 years, making it very difficult for land owners to get rid of these pests.
Our African Acacias also have their uses and are such a part of the African landscape that I have to have a couple of tame ones living in my garden just to remind me of visits to wild places.
I acquired my striking knob thorn or Acacia nigrescens when it was a baby, from the wonderful indigenous nursery at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park.
Even then it was pretty prickly personality so transporting it wasn’t easy. We drove home from Kruger via the Drakensberg and I was most concerned about taking this baby heat-loving tree into such a cold area.
Somewhere along the route my woollie scarf fell off a shelf and draped itself around the sapling. It really looked as if the knob thorn had stretched out a thorny little finger to grab the scarf.
I left the scarf in situ until we reached home and the little knob thorn survived the cold to grow in a big, majestic tree that I absolutely adore. Its striking shape and textured trunk makes it a tree hugger’s delight although its rather thorny character makes it difficult to actually hug it.
This tree always reminds me of its original home and those knob thorn-filled valleys in Kruger that look so spectacular in spring when the trees are covered in snowy white blossom.
Groves of knob thorns also thrive in many of our KwaZulu-Natal parks and game reserves, so look out for them there.
Another Acacia of mine, the paperbark thorn or Acacia sieberiana, has gorgeous light-coloured, flaky papery bark that makes it a striking garden subject.
It also triggers happy memories of visits to a wild place as it is the species that provides shelter for campers and a wide range of birds in the camping area at lovely Weenen Game Reserve.
Of course, the thorn tree you are most likely to see as you travel around South Africa is the sweet thorn or Acacia karroo, one of those really useful pioneer trees that grow under almost any conditions in a broad swathe across our land.
When covered with their bright yellow flowers, they are such a magic sight.
The Acacia mellifera or black thorn, with it pretty pinkish buds and fluffy blossom that take on a pinkish brown hue as they age, always remind me of Mokala Game Reserve in the Northern Cape but it is perhaps the umbrella thorn or Acacia tortilis that is the most iconic of all Africa’s Acacias.
Two other acacias, both inhabitants of our dry lands, have very special memories for me.
Photographs of the regal camel thorn tree (Acacia erioloba) or its cousin, the grey camelthorn (Acacia haematoxylon) transport me to a very special place, the beautiful arid wonderland that is our Kgalagadi Tranfrontier Park.
If you’ve been there you would know what I mean.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
