Sickle Bush

31 Replies

Dichrostachys cinerea

The Sickle Bush is a hardy, thorny shrub or small tree (maximum 7m high) occurring in the savanna habitats of South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and Northwest Provinces. In overgrazed areas the Sickle Bush quickly form dense thickets and as such can be problematic to farming communities, despite the leaves and pods being excellent fodder for game and small stock, and therefore regular clearing of such invasive thickets yield much sought-after firewood. It is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN. Apart from South Africa it occurs naturally over the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, South Asia and Australia, and has been introduced to the Caribbean and parts of North America.

The beautiful flowers are borne during summer, explaining where this plant gets its alternative local name of “Kalahari Christmas Tree” from. Apart from being used as fodder or firewood, or fashioned into small implements or fence posts, the roots, bark and leaves of the Sickle Bush is also used in traditional medicines. The species is also ideally suited to be made into attractive bonsai.

Sickle Bush bloom
Sickle Bush seedpods
Sickle Bush flowers
The flowers of the Sickle Bush
Sickle Bush flower
Sickle Bush
Sickle Bush flowers
Sickle Bush flowers
Sickle Bush thorns
Sickle Bush thorn
Sickle Bush leaves
Sickle Bush flowers
Sickle Bush flowers
Sickle Bush flowers
Sickle Bush flowers

31 thoughts on “Sickle Bush”

  5. Pingback: THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT TREES – Something Over Tea

Please don't leave without sharing your thoughts?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.