Fabaceae

Vachellia nilotica

Common Names: Prickly acacia

Plant Form: Large spreading multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Size: Up to 14 m tall. Stem: Single stem, young bark has tinges of orange or green with 1-5 cm long spines, older trees have rough bark and lose thorns. Leaves: 3-4 cm long comprising 10-25 pairs of very small leaflets along length. Flowers: Globular wattle-like yellow flowerheads about 10 mm diameter, in groups of 2-6. Fruit and Seeds: Grey-green pods 10-20 cm long, covered in fine hairs and with constrictions between seeds. Habitat: Rangelands, pastures, around waterways and floodplains. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from other Prickly acacias (Vachellia species) by having pods that are strongly constricted, with an almost pearl necklace appearance. Impacts: Severely affects grassland productivity, restricts water access, reduces biodiversity and can harm Indigenous land use.