Vachellia cornigera (Linnaeus.) Seigler & Ebinger

Common Name: Bull-thorn Acacia
Family: Fabaceae Juss.

Country of Origin: Mexico to Costa Rica
Habitat: Wet sites in lowlands

Description: Small tree to shrub, leaves bipinnate, pairs of large, semi-hollow spines inhabited by ants which protect the plant from herbivores. Beltian bodies are a detachable tip found on the pinnules of the leaf and are rich in lipids, sugars and proteins and provide nourishment for the resident ants. This type of ant/plant mutualistic association is known as myrmecophylly.
Yellow flowers in dense spikes up to 1.5 inches long.

Uses: Bark extract has been shown to have anti - inflammatory effects, further studies are underway.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.

USDA Zone: 9-11?

Accession Data:

Accession # 200300277
Source: Marcia Kirinus - Duke
Accession Date: 08-19-2003
Bench: 1318 - NEOA: Ground Bed 2 SW
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 5 confirmed on 01-22-2025

Classification:

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
SubClass: eurosid I
Order: Fabales
SubOrder:
Family: Fabaceae
SubFamily: Mimosoideae
Tribe: Acacieae
SubTribe:

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:

Year	Jan				Feb				Mar					Apr				May				Jun					Jul				Aug				Sep					Oct				Nov				Dec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

References (internal):

EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Mexico Northeast / Mexico Gulf / Mexico Southwest / Mexico Southeast / Belize / Costa Rica / El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras / Nicaragua

References (external):

Vachellia cornigera Factsheet
The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed on Thursday, September 07, 2017.
Ants Live In Thorns of Acacia Trees at Morning Earth. Last accessed on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Acacia cornigera at Encyclopedia of Life. Last accessed on Monday, October 02, 2017.

data regenerated on Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:22:09 -0500 [bcm v4.0]