aroma
(Dichrostachys cinerea)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to Africa.
Appearance
Dichrostachys cinerea is a spiny, shrubby tree, 14.8-25" (4.5-7.5 m) tall, semideciduous to deciduous, forms dense thickets. Branches are ash grey with strongly alternate thorns to 1.8 cm.
Foliage
Leaves have 6-19 pairs of pinnae, leaflets 9-41 pairs.
Flower
fragrant, hanging cylindrical spikes, 1.5-3" (3.8 -7.5 cm), purplish above, yellowish below.
Fruits
Twisted pods 3-0.4" (7.5 x 1 cm), mustard to brown in color.
Could be confused with:
Sweet acacia, (Vachellia farnesiana), native, which has completely round yellow flowers and white thorns.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Native to Africa.
Appearance
Dichrostachys cinerea is a spiny, shrubby tree, 14.8-25" (4.5-7.5 m) tall, semideciduous to deciduous, forms dense thickets. Branches are ash grey with strongly alternate thorns to 1.8 cm.
Foliage
Leaves have 6-19 pairs of pinnae, leaflets 9-41 pairs.
Flower
fragrant, hanging cylindrical spikes, 1.5-3" (3.8 -7.5 cm), purplish above, yellowish below.
Fruits
Twisted pods 3-0.4" (7.5 x 1 cm), mustard to brown in color.
Could be confused with:
Sweet acacia, (Vachellia farnesiana), native, which has completely round yellow flowers and white thorns.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Genus: Dichrostachys |
| Dichrostachys cinerea |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.