Vachellia horrida (L.) Kyal. & Boatwr.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Shrub, 1–3.6 m high or occasionally higher, usually obconical and branching from the base; young branchlets brownish, glabrous or pubescent

Morphology General Spines

Stipular spines up to 9 cm long, some normally with their lower part swollen and not or only slightly constricted at base

Morphology Leaves

Pinnae 2–8 pairs; leaflets 5–14 pairs, 2–6 x 0.75–1.8 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers whitish, sessile, in 1–4.5 cm long spikes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 0.3–1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 2–2.5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods ± boat-shaped to falcate, dehiscent, 3–6 x 1.5–2.5 cm, purplish brown, glabrous or rarely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 4–5 x 4–4.5 mm, flattened; areole c. 2 x 1.5 mm.

Note

Finally, there is a form in the border area between N3 and C1 with markedly turgid, shortly pubescent pods, abruptly narrowed at the base (e.g. Hemming 1395). Subsp. horrida grows in India. The type race of this variable taxon is a flat-topped shrub with spreading branches, usually growing on sand, while a form in S1 (around Luuq) is a taller plant with erect branches, usually growing on rocky ridges.

Leguminosae, J. B. Gillett, R. M. Polhill & B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1971

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 1.3–3.6 m. high, normally flat-crowned, obconical and branching from base, very rarely taller (to 10 m.) but still with fastigiate branching from base.

Morphology Branches

Young branchlets grey-brown to brown or blackish-purple, glabrous.

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules spinescent, up to 9.5 cm. long, some normally with their lower part enlarged and ovoid or fusiform, not or only slightly constricted at base; no prickles below the stipules.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves:rhachis eglandular between the 2–6 pairs of pinnae; often a conspicuous gland on the petiole; leaflets 5–11 pairs, 2–6 mm. long, 0.75–1.8 mm. wide, subglabrous or inconspicuously ciliate, rounded to subacute or acute at apex, lateral nerves invisible.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers cream, sessile, in spikes 1–4.5 cm. long on peduncles 0.5–1 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 0.3–1 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 2–2.5 mm. long, glabrous, with 4 lobes 0.5–0.7 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen-filaments about 5 mm. long; anthers 0.1–0.15 mm. across, with a caducous gland.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods brown, dehiscent, glabrous or slightly puberulous especially near base and along sutures, oblong, subreniform or ± shortly falcate, (2.5–)3–6 cm. long, (1.2–)1.5–2.5 cm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds ± obovate-compressed, 5 mm. long, 4–4.5 mm. wide; central areole small, 2 × 1.5 mm.

Distribution

As for the subsp., but also in India

International Legume Database and Information Service

Conservation

Not Threatened

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, Not climbing, Shrub/Tree

Vernacular

Cape Gum, Dev-Babul