Camel Thorn or Giraffe Thorn * Kameeldoring * Acacia Erioloba

The tree can grow up to 20 metres high. It is slow-growing, very hardy to drought and fairly frost-resistant. The wood is dark reddish-brown in colour and extremely dense and strong. The seeds can be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee beans.

The name 'camel thorn' refers to the fact that giraffes commonly feed on the leaves with their specially-adapted tongue and lips that can avoid the thorns.

  • (Afrikaans) Kameel Blom, Grootdoring,  Kameeldoring, Kameeldoringboom, Rooihoutdoring, Swartkameel, Swartkameeldoring, Vaalkameel.  
  • (English) Black-barked Camel Thorn, Camel Thorn, Giraffe Thorn, Giraffe Tree, Mimosa, Transvaal Camelthorn.