Vachellia karroo, commonly known as Sweet Thorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the savannas, bushveld, and wooded grasslands of southern Africa, including regions from Angola to Mozambique and South Africa. It can grow up to 40 feet tall with a typical width of 20-30 feet, forming a rounded crown. The bark is initially smooth and reddish-brown, becoming darker and rough with age. Its bipinnate leaves are finely textured and dark green, providing a delicate appearance. From late spring to early summer, it produces abundant, fragrant yellow puffball flowers, which are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.

Sweet Thorn is valued for its ornamental features, including its showy flowers and its ability to provide light, dappled shade. It is often used in landscape design for its aesthetic appeal and as a focal point in gardens. The tree is also known for its resilience, tolerating drought and a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils. It requires full sun to light shade and is relatively low-maintenance once established. In some regions, it is used for erosion control and as a windbreak. However, gardeners should be cautious as Vachellia karroo can become invasive outside its native range, and its thorns can be a hazard in high-traffic areas.CC BY-SA 4.0