Alien Invasives

04 October 2016

Other names

False Acacia, Locust Tree, Yellow Locust (English)
Witakasia, Valsakasia (Afrikaans)

Invasive status

NEMBA Category 1b (proposed)
CARA 2002 Category 2

Description

A neat, deciduous tree normally up to 12 metres tall but in ideal conditions may reach 25 metres. Bark is dark brown and deeply furrowed. It suckers freely to create impenetrable thickets where the young stems and branchlets have nasty thorns. The small, bright green leaves become yellow in autumn. From September to November the trees are covered in white, fragrant flowers in drooping sprays followed by reddish-brown pods. The seeds, leaves and inner bark are poisonous.

Originally from

North America

Where is it a problem?

Throughout South Africa

How does it spread?

Seed dispersal and suckers

Why is it a problem?

Dense copses can form by suckering from the roots and can cover vast areas where they compete with and replace indigenous species. Along watercourses they restrict access to water by domestic and wild animals. They are also poisonous to humans and domestic livestock.

Planting alternatives

Ankle Thorn (Acacia robusta), Hook Thorn (Acacia caffra), Weeping Wattle (Peltophorum africanum)

Uses

Timber, fuel and ornamental