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Umbrella thorn - Acacia tortilisOne of the quintessential sighs of Africa is the flat savanna stretching to the horizon and dotted with magnificent flat-crowned umbrella thorns casting shade on the earth. In early summer after the first rains, cascades of white or pale cream flowers adorn the tree, bringing a sweet smell to the bush. Many animals, including monkeys and baboons, are very partial to the leaves and the contorted seed pods. This fondness for the pods is not surprising when one realises that they are made up of nearly 20 per cent pure protein. Elephants are particularly fond of the bark which they strip off the lenght of the tree, often causing the tree to die. In the Krueger National Park exceptional tree specimens are protected from elephants by packing sharp rocks around the tree perimeter. Elephants are extremely sensitive under their feet and will never walk over sharp rocks. The English common name 'umbrella thorn' describes the umbrella shape and the Africaans common name 'Haak-en-steek', describes the grab-and stab action of the hooked and straight horns. The umbrella thorn is a common species occuring everywhere in Moremi and the Okavango Delta, especially where the soil has a high clay content.
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