Nature's Natural Armory & Fine Foliage - Protection and Water Security.

Since the early days of cultivation we have learned to regard with caution our trees, shrubs, and terrestrial species, which are armed with spiky attachments. The varieties with broad, dark or paler green, glossy leaves achieve lush ambience and shade, but plenty of water is an essential commodity. The Indigenous species with armoury and fine foliage draw less water, a positive bonus. To identify Nature's armaments there are four distinct categories, Knobs, Prickles, Thorns and Spines. The appearance may be straight, or curved, often with a hook. The conservation friendly Acacias (from the Greek Akis, meaning sharp point), achieve growth with fine, feathery foliage embracing the crown, but of deciduous habit with few leaves during drier months.

Of key interest, the Acacias in Africa have always been armed with thorns, while the exotic Acacias, which have been introduced, mainly from Australia for commercial forestry, are without thorns, example Acacia Mearnsii (Black Wattle). Black Wattle is now a listed "Invader" and must be eradicated outside the plantation. The Acacias are dominant across our more arid regions, outside the lush "Climax Forest" environment, which hosts the broad-leaved trees and plants. Across the Plains aerial scanning show the horizontal lines of the Acacia tops, with grasslands in between, the cheetah's unbroken line of chase to the horizon.

The Acacias' fine foliage is indicative of the under-lying water retention capability of the Soil and its condition. Foliage at the crown sends the signal to transfer water from the roots, through the trunk, to enable sustainable foliage growth. From East Africa with Acacia abyssinica, (Inyanga Flat-top), an amazing distribution of about 44 different Acacias spread southwards. Acacia Karoo (Sweet Thorn) is the most widespread, occurring across the Free State, the Transvaal, Botswana, into Namibia and south into the Cape and Natal. The bright yellow, scented balls attract bees and butterflies. The bark is used for tanning, while inner bark makes a useful rope. When travelling to the Kruger Park note Acacia caffra (Common Hook Thorn) with attractive white flowering tassels, which attract insects, bees, butterflies, the monkeys and baboons. Many Acacias display their hanging pods, which vary in shape and size; some thin and straight while others woody and curved. The foliage and pods are browsed by giraffe, and elephants.

Along our Coastal landscape we enjoy a natural distribution of about 12 Acacia species where the deciduous habit offers spacious views to the ocean. Acacia ataxacantha (Flame thorn) has stalks with prickles, and abundant cream terminal sprays. The fast-growing, deciduous Acacia robusta (Broad-pod Robust Thorn) often located near a stream, with its large dense crown and amazing scented white balls, the seeds eaten by Weavers. The hardy, flat-topped Acacia Sieberiana (Paperbark Thorn) is a grassland survivor in times of drought and frost. The pods are eaten by buck and cattle, and the thorny branches invite nesting habitat.

In the urban garden the ever popular rose bush presents hooked thorns. The hedgerow displays flowering bracts of the Bougainvillea, originally from South America. The thorny growth provides protection along the boundary or a pergola feature, but beware of thorns when selecting for floral decor, or pruning. An excellent Easter gift - a new pair of gardening gloves.

The "Crown of Thorns" reaped from the tree Sacropoterium spinosum is significant at Christ's Crucifixion on the Cross. Let us not forget. Ref. The Book of Matthew, Chapter 27, verse 29.