Whistling Thorn
Acacia drepanolobium
| Height: | Up to 18m |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Fruit: | Seed pods |
The Whistling Thorn Acacia is native to the savannahs of Africa and is common in the Serengeti.
This Acacia has very long thorns, up to 7 cms long. Some of the thorns have large bulbous swellings which are hollow. These swellings are home to ants, as shown in the bottom photo. The ants make holes in the bulb and when the wind blows, it makes a whistling noise through the holes - hence the name.
This Acacia has leaves made up of tiny leaflets. The flowers are white. The seed pods are long and the seeds are edible.
These photos were taken in
Laikipia, Kenya.
Click on any of the photographs on this site to see a larger image.
