kalahari christmas tree dichrostachys cinerea with green leaves and flower buds

navigate by keyword : dichrostachys cinerea sicklebush bell mimosa chinese lantern tree kalahari christmas legume flowers fabaceae acacia saint domingue weihnachtsbaum clochette leaves bicoloured cylindrical spikes fragrant thorns compound hanging lilac pale purple colour yellow seedpods seeds fruits mustard brown weed invasive species twisted spiraled foliage indoor bonsai plant brushwood thickets hedges teak forest grassland edible nectar honey fuelwood hardwood traditional medicine rich nutrients cultivated grow drier forests woodland climate temperature

Kalahari Christmas tree (Dichrostachys cinerea) with green leaves and flower buds.

Kalahari Christmas tree (Dichrostachys cinerea) also known as sicklebush, Bell mimosa, Chinese lantern tree is a legume in the family Fabaceae. Its other common names include acacia Saint Domingue, Kalahari-Weihnachtsbaum, mimosa clochette. The leaves are compound and fragrant flowers are characteristically arranged in bicoloured cylindrical spikes that resemble Chinese lanterns. Upper flowers of a hanging spike are sterile, and are of a lilac or pale purple colour with the bottom half of the spikes displaying yellow flowers. Seedpods (fruits) are usually a mustard-brown and are generally twisted or spiraled.