DESCRIPTION

Formerly known as Acacia tortilis, this is an attractive flat-crowned tree with fine blue-green foliage. The bark is grey to dark brown and fissured.  The Afrikaans common name, Haak-en-steek, aptly describes the two types of thorn born by this tree – one is long, straight and white; the other is small, hooked and brown.  It bears masses of white to pale yellow fragrant ball-shaped flowers which attract a host of insects.  Although visited by a variety of insects during flowering, some trees may not produce fruit.

The seed pods are a distinctive feature as they are contorted and twisted into a tight decorative coil.