Located in Palm Desert and just 15 minutes from Palm Springs, The Living Desert's mission is desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. Click here to become a member. Campers learn about plants and animals, the environment (including our own desert) and what it's like to work at a zoo Quarters for Conservation. Choose a Conservation Project and help protect wild animals and plants around the planet! You can become an important part of The Living Desert's conservation efforts through our Adopt! Program.

Umbrella Thorn

Acacia tortilis

Family:

Fabaceae, Pea Family

Form:

Tree, shrub; from 6 feet by 6 feet to 50 feet high by 100 feet wide

Range:

Widespread throughout Africa and into the Middle East

Habitat:

Semi-arid savannahs in sandy, rocky and alluvial soils

Living Desert Location:

East African Garden, Village Watutu

This tree is the quintessential symbol of the African flora. With its flattened crown of thorny branches potentially spreading to twice its 50 foot height, Umbrella thorn evokes the image of the African savannah in all who see it. Umbrella thorn is easily identified by its uniquely contorted seed pods and distinctive thorns – curved and straight on the same plant. Gardeners at The Living Desert can attest to the pugnacious quality of the thorns and the aptness of the Afrikaans common name ‘haak-en-steek’ – grab and stab. Overall size is dictated by growing conditions, and oftentimes this plant may be no more than a six to eight foot shrub. 

The bi-pinnately compound leaves, each composed of hundreds of tiny leaflets, are consumed by many browsers. The nutritious pods, with a content of nearly 20% protein, are highly sought by many animals including antelope, giraffe, elephant, monkeys and baboons. A hard seed coat protects the embryo through the digestion process and the partially scarified but undigested seed is ‘sown’ in a pile of dung, fertilized and ready to germinate.

Umbrella thorn is an important tree in arid areas providing shade, fuel, construction materials, food, fodder and medicine.

Balls of fragrant, creamy-white flowers occur in late spring to summer and are favored by monkeys and baboons.