11/10/22, 11:18 AM Acacia galpinii - CJM Tree Growers

Acacia galpinii
Trees

(presently Senegalia galpinii)

Monkey Thorn (E)

Apies Doring (A)
Mologa (NS)
Tshikwalo (V)

General

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DESCRIPTION

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One of the tallest and largest of the naturally occurring Acacias, the Monkey Thorn is a robust,
fine tree, with beautifully flaking bark, a wide, somewhat spreading or domed canopy of
luxurious, pale green, feathery foliage, large, dark, arched thorns and masses of striking, creamy,
bottlebrush-like flowers, that are an unusual purple-red before they open. The dainty leaflets fold
up at night. The common name is believed to refer to tendency of monkeys to take refuge in
amongst the thorny branches and their love of eating the pods. It is often mistaken for Acacia
(Senegalia) polyacantha, but the latter lacks the gland dot on the leafstalk.

SA TREE

166

FAMILY

Fabaceae or Leguminosae (Legume or pod-bearing family).

This family is also divided into 3 subfamilies; mimosa or acacia subfamily, cassia and pea.
Regarded as one of the largest, as well as economically significant families, its members have
been cultivated since early times for their plethora of uses – as food, medicine, fodder, for
practical use (tannins) and ornamental displays.

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HABITAT

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From Tanzania in the north, also Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, to the northwest province in
southern Africa, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, where they are naturally and predominantly found
near water. They frequent bushveld and open or wooded grasslands, up to altitudes of 1500m.
They are believed to be indicators of sweet veldt.

Main Features
BARK

Pale, yellowish-grey and flaking in long, papery strips when young. As the tree matures, the bark
becomes darker brown and rougher, with deep longitudinal grooves and a corky or papery texture.
New twigs are a light, creamy yellow, glabrous or slightly hairy and faintly corky. The main stem
is typically straight, with a diameter of 600-1500 mm.

FOLIAGE

Deciduous.
Bipinnately compound leaves (50-110 mm), with 8-14 pairs of pinnae, each with 12-40 pairs of
fine, oblong, hairless leaflets (35-110 x 10-20 mm). A smallish gland dot can often be seen on the
petiole (10-40 mm), but its position is variable. The thorns are stout, strong, dark brown and more
or less straight or hooked, and grow in pairs just below the nodes or on the branchlets, rarely on
the main trunk.

FLOWERS

Elongated, slender, honey-scented, buttery yellow spikes, produced en masse. Juvenile buds are
reddish to purple (unique among the Acacias) and are usually produced before the new leaves.
(September-October)

FRUIT

Pods, reddish to purplish, (25-28 x 2.5-3.5 cm), with a slightly brittle texture. They are smooth,
slightly thickened, and split on the tree. (February- March)

HEIGHT

6-30 m (according to the region in which it is grown)

SPREAD

4-10 m

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Uses
MEDICINAL

The bark has astringent properties, and decoctions, infusions or powders are used internally and
topically. It is used internally to bring relief from stomach complaints, dysentery and diarrhoea, as
well as cases of internal bleeding. A cleansing body and mouth wash is also made from the bark,
and this is used to treat wounds, rashes and other skin ailments, haemorrhoids, excessive
perspiration and certain eye infections.

PRACTICAL

The creamy-yellow sapwood can clearly be distinguished from the dark reddish bronze
heartwood. The wood is hard, heavy, irregularly grained with a slightly coarse texture. It is very
tough and durable, takes a good finish, but is difficult to work. Quality furniture has been made
from it, as well as poles for fences, wagon parts, implements and implement handles, railway
sleepers and flooring panels. The timber is also used for shipbuilding and in joinery and is
relatively resistant to attack from parasites. Due to the presence of tannins in the bark, it is often
used to add colour to leather. A quality, strong rope can be made from the fibrous inner bark.

WARNINGS

The leaves of most Acacias contain traces of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide, which can be fatal if
ingested. The concentrations of the chemical increase during periods of drought or over-grazing.
The trees also have an aggressively spreading root system, so should be planted clear of any
permanent structures or pools.

Landscape
WILDLIFE

The flowers attract a host of insect life – wasps, beetles, honeybees and butterflies, but may also
lure certain insectivorous bird species that prey on the insects. The gum is eaten by monkeys,
baboons and many insects. Although the pods are a favourite of certain monkeys, they are eaten
less frequently than other Acacia pods. The leaves are occasionally grazed by game and stock
animals, and the trees provide valuable shade for many farm animals. Birds love to build their
nests high up amongst the concealing, thorny branches, and monkeys are also known to take
shelter in the trees.

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ADVANTAGES

The trees adapt well to cultivation, and provide lovely, dappled or deep shade. Although they may
grow too large for the average garden, they are perfectly suited for reserves, farms, parks, large
gardens and street planting. The trees are a spectacular sight when they are in full bloom and
make fine specimen trees. They respond well to pruning, and, if planted in groups and regularly
trimmed, they will make excellent security or screening hedges. They are quite long-lived trees,
and, unlike many other Acacia species, they do not have a habit of throwing their thorns.

Cultivation
TOLERANCE

Once the trees are properly established (3-5 years), they are able to withstand considerable
amounts of frosts, but young trees should be sheltered as extremely cold conditions could severely
damage them. The Monkey Thorn can endure extended periods of drought once mature, but
should be given regular, deep drenching’s when young. They are wind hardy.

GROWTH RATE

Moderate – fast, up to 1 m or more per year.

LIGHTING

Full sun.

SOIL & WATER

The trees accept a wide variety of soil conditions, from sandy, clay to loamy, with a neutral ph,
but prefer well-drained soils. They will respond well to added compost, and have moderate water
needs, only requiring extra watering during very hot and dry periods. The Monkey Thorn thrives
naturally in dry, frost-free summer rainfall regions.

PROPAGATION
Prior to being sown, the hard seed coat needs to be broken or softened to speed up the germination
process. This can be done by soaking the seeds for 12-24 hours in very hot, but not boiling, water.
If they are not swollen by the next day, a small nick can be made in the seed coat (be careful not
to damage the embryo!) and the process can be repeated. Thereafter, the swollen seeds can be
sown in a well-drained mixture of compost and river sand (1:2), and then covered with another
thin layer of sand. Place in a warm, bright area and mist often. Germination is usually rapid,

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within 1-3 weeks. Seedlings can be transplanted into individual containers once they reach the
two-leaf stage. Saplings can be planted out into open ground after one or two years and should be
watered regularly until well established.

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