Senegalia mellifera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackthorn |
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The Blackthorn (scientific name: Senegalia mellifera) is a common thorny tree found in Africa. Its name, mellifera, means "honey-bearing" because its flowers smell sweet and attract bees that make honey. When the wood of this tree is oiled, it turns a very dark, almost black, color. Another common name for it is Swarthaak, which comes from the Afrikaans language. This tree is not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
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Where the Blackthorn Lives
The Blackthorn tree grows in the dry parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It likes places with not much rain.
What the Blackthorn Looks Like
The Blackthorn can grow in a couple of ways. It can be a bushy plant with many trunks, reaching up to seven meters (about 23 feet) tall. It often has a crown that looks like a funnel. Or, it can grow as a single tree trunk, reaching up to nine meters (about 30 feet) tall.
Sometimes, these trees grow very close together, forming thick, dense areas that are hard to walk through. In some parts of Africa, the Blackthorn can spread quickly and cover large areas of farmland. When this happens, it is called an invasive species because it takes over land where other plants or crops might grow.
How People Use Blackthorn
People in Africa use the Blackthorn tree in many helpful ways.
- Fencing: Its thorny branches are used to build fences, which help keep livestock safe.
- Animal Food: The leaves and young branches are a good source of food for farm animals like cattle and goats.
- Building: The wood is used to help build huts and other structures.
- Honey: The flowers produce nectar, which is a sweet liquid that bees collect to make honey.
- Fuel: The wood is also good for burning as fuel and for making charcoal, which is used for cooking and heating.
- Traditional Medicine: The plant is used in traditional African medicine for various purposes.
Animals and the Blackthorn
The Blackthorn tree is a very important food source for many animals, especially in dry areas.
- Nutritious Leaves: The leaves and young branches are full of nutrients and have a lot of protein, making them a healthy meal for animals.
- Browsing Animals: Many large animals eat parts of the Blackthorn. These include elephants, black rhinos, giraffes, and elands.
- Kudu: A type of antelope called the kudu often eats the flowers of the Blackthorn.
- Goats: The leaves of the Blackthorn are an important part of what goats eat.
See also
In Spanish: Senegalia mellifera para niños
