[3] The gum is part of the diet of the Senegal bushbaby (Gallinago senegalensis) especially in the dry season. They do require mulch at the base in winter to protect them. This tree was previously called Acacia xanthophloea. [9], Butterflies recorded as feeding on Vachellia xanthophloea in Kenya included the Kikuyu ciliate blue (Anthene kikuyu), Pitman's hairtail (Anthene pitmani), common ciliate blue (Anthene definita), African babul blue (Azanus jesous), Victoria's bar (Cigaritis victoriae) and common zebra blue (Leptotes pirithous). This tree can be found from Kenya in the north to KwaZulu-Natal in the south. [3] It is one of the few trees where photosynthesis takes place in the bark. It is also used as a hedge plant and as fire breaks. Early pioneers thought that this tree caused a fever since people travelling or living in the areas where it grew contracted a badfever. Bright yellow, golden, ball-like flowers which are sweetly scented are borne in clusters on shortened side shoots at the nodes and towards the ends of branches. Vachellia xanthophloea belongs to the pod bearing family Fabaceae. Its contrasting bark, feathery foliage, and architectural attributes make it an eye-catcher and thus suitable as a focal point in a landscape. Vachellia seyal is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a fast rate. The valuable timber of Vachellia xanthophloea is pale reddish brown with a hard, heavy texture, and, because it is liable to crack, it should be seasoned before use. Pooley. World Agroforestry Centre. The fever tree occurs mainly in depressions and shallow pans where underground water is present or surface water collects after summer rains. When the seedlings reach the two-leaf stage (approx. It is also used in making candles, inks, matches, and paints. ... Vachellia karoo Acacia is basically a plant-it-and-forget-it type of tree, although a young tree may need protection from wildlife while it develops its defense system. Culture should be similar to V. farnesiana. The nitrogen fixing bacteria in the root nodules of Acacia xanthphloea help to enrich the soil around the tree with nitrogen which benefits any plants that grow in close proximity to the tree. Flourish! Common names: Umbrella Thorn, Umbrella Acacia, Curly-pod Acacia, Israeli babool, Haak-en-steek. Abundant, fragrant, yellow puffball flowers light up the landscape, and adorn the tree intermittently (in response to rain) throughout summer. [3], In Australia, Vachellia xanthophlea is a prohibited invasive plant in the state of Queensland under the Biosecurity Act 2014, under which it must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. A water stress treatment showed that seedlings of C. adenogonium may be least affected by future drought, and V. xanthophloea may be able to adapt to drought by maintaining root biomass even as aboveground growth decreases. Vachellia xanthophloea. [12], These trees are immortalized by Rudyard Kipling in one of his Just So Stories, "The Elephant's Child", wherein he repeatedly refers to "the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees. The improvement in soil structure was also associated with increased drainage, especially during wet periods. Vachellia nilotica is a fast-growing though small, spiny, evergreen tree with a broad, rounded (rarely umbrella-shaped) crown. Armillaria isolates were made from plantations of Pinus spp. Struik: Cape Town. Briza: Pretoria. The beautiful Vachellia xanthophloea has become ubiquitous in Gauteng, and is regularly used in gardens, shopping centres, along sidewalks and in corporate office parks. They flower from Septemb It has also become a landscape tree in other warm climates, outside of its natural range. Growing to a height of approximately 5 m in an urban setting, the tree can reach up to 12 m in the wild. The wood is hard, heavy and a suitable general purpose timber but it should be seasoned before use otherwise it is likely to crack. Kyalangalilwa B, et al. Fever Tree (Vachellia xanthophloea) The indigenous Fever Tree (Vachellia xanthophloea) is an incredibly striking tree.Growing to approximately 15-25 metres in height, it is a prominent feature in the South African lowveld, and can be found from Kenya all the way down south to KwaZulu-Na tal.. Roots grow in response to the growing conditions, so you may find that they will, in time, lift the paving. Before sowing, the seed should be soaked in hot water overnight. 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