Acacia tortilis (Umbrella Thorn Acacia)


Botanical Information

FamilyFabaceae
GenusAcacia
Speciestortilis
CategoryTropicals
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginNative to Africa and the Middle East.

Description and Growing Information

PropagationEasily propagated by seed placed in boiling water for 12-24 hours, (allowing the water to cool during this period) and then sown before the seeds dry out. The boiling water softens the seed coat and allows quick germination which can vary from one to four weeks. Seed may be sown at any time of year although spring sown seed seems to yield slightly more significant results. Once seedlings have produced their true leaves they may be pricked off into pots and transplanted according to growth rate. Cutting may also work using half-ripened lateral shoots in mix of equal parts sand and peat/compost and placed in a heated greenhouse under moist shade; cuttings are slow to root. Selected plants can also be approached grafted onto A. retinoides seed raised stock that is 18-24 months old and about 30 cm in height. Once the graft has taken remove the top growth from the under stock the following spring.

Photographs