Senegalia nigrescens
| Senegalia nigrescens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Limpopo, South Africa | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Senegalia |
| Species: | S. nigrescens |
| Binomial name | |
| Senegalia nigrescens (Oliv.) P.J.H.Hurter | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Senegalia nigrescens, the knobthorn, is a deciduous African tree, growing up to 18 m tall,[1] that is found in savanna regions from West Africa to South Africa. The tree is resistant to drought, not resistant to frost and its hard wood is resistant to termites.[1]
Ecology
Giraffes often browse on the flowers and foliage of this tree, while the seed pods and foliage are browsed on by a range of mammals, including elephants.[2]
It has been hypothesized that giraffes also act as pollinators. Its spicate inflorescences are too long to be protected by thorns and lack any chemical defenses, its flowers are pale rather than brightly colored as is typical of insect-pollinated species, and it blooms in the late dry season in September when other foods are less available.[3][4] However, observed reductions in fruit set within feeding range of the giraffe suggest predation rather than pollination, with effective pollination more likely performed by insects or birds.[5]
Uses
An ointment made from the roots has traditionally been used to treat convulsions.[6]
Gallery
- compound leaves
- flower spike
- rufous seed pods
- knobbly bark
References
- ^ abMasupa, Thabo. "Senegalia nigrescens (as Acacia nigrescens)". PlantZAfrica.com. National Herbarium, Pretoria. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^Van Wyk, Piet (2008). Field guide to the TREES of the Kruger National Park. Cape Town: Struik. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-77007-759-1.
- ^du Toit, J. T. (1992). "Winning by a neck". Natural History. 8: 29–32.
- ^Dutoit, J.t. (1990). "Giraffe feeding on Acacia flowers: predation or pollination?". African Journal of Ecology. 28 (1): 63–68. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1990.tb01137.x. ISSN 1365-2028.
- ^Fleming, Patricia A.; Hofmeyr, Sally D.; Nicolson, Sue W.; du Toit, Johan T. (2006). "Are Giraffes Pollinators or Flower Predators of Acacia nigrescens in Kruger National Park, South Africa?". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 22 (3): 247–253. ISSN 0266-4674.
- ^Cumes, David (2009). Healing trees & plants of the Lowveld. Rael Loon, Dries Bester. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Nature. ISBN 978-1-77007-833-8. OCLC 506229195.
External links
Media related to Senegalia nigrescens at Wikimedia Commons- Data related to Senegalia nigrescens at Wikispecies
- Senegalia nigrescens (as Acacia nigrescens) in West African plants – A Photo Guide.
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