SIMPLE vs ONCE-COMPOUND vs TWICE-COMPOUND
The trees and shrubs described here have simple, oncecompound or twice-compound leaves. A simple leaf has an undivided blade, although it may be lobed or incised. A oncecompound leaf has leaflets on either side of a common axis, and a twice-compound leaf has a blade that is divided twice – each leaflet being subdivided into smaller leaflets.
Camel thorn
Vachellia erioloba
Where to find it? The camel thorn grows in deep sandy soil, but especially along dry rivers in alluvial soils. It’s abundant in the northern parts of the park.
Distinguishing features? It’s a large, widespreading thorn tree (up to 12 m tall), with rough blackish-brown bark. There are often large sociable weaver nests in the branches. It has distinctive large, grey pods in summer and autumn.
THE DETAILS
Leaves: Twice-compound leaves; stalks have no glands.
Flowers: The golden-yellow spherical heads are conspicuous in spring.
Fruit: Pale, flat and thickened pods, covered with velvety grey hairs.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The camel thorn is a keystone species in the Kalahari. Many mammals, birds and insects depend
