Common Names: Scented Thorn, Ngalati, Mukube, Lukwe
Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Mimosoideae
 
Growth Form, Habitat and Distribution 
A small to medium sized semi-deciduous tree usually branching at a low level with an untidy crown. Occurs across most of Zambia in a wide variety of drier habitats. It often forms thickets and is often a pioneer tree in disturbed ground. 
Size     Height up to 10m, usually smaller, spread 5 to 7m.
Bark    Dark brown to black deep regular fissures. Young twigs are grey brown to reddish. Spines are paired, long and slender (4 to 9cm) and typically point backwards.
Leaves    Alternate, compound, bipinnate with 2 to 11 pairs of pinnae clustered at spinal nodes and 7 to 25 opposite pairs of small (0.5 to 1.5cm), narrow, grey-green leaflets. Petiole short.
Flowers    Fragrant, bright yellow, in loose axillary or terminal balls with the new growth (up to 2cm), September to April.
Fruit     Long, straight or slightly curved, fattish, black, indehiscent pods with sharp ends (8 to 17cm), noticeably constricted between the seeds. Seed pod segments break up falling to the ground ripening March to September, splitting explosively to release 10 to 14 flat, sweet-smelling brown seeds.
Uses    The species can become invasive on disturbed ground. The bark has medicinal properties. The tree is browsed by wildlife. 
Other species in Zambia: 28 other Acacia species and 8 sub-species.