Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn.

sickle bush

Afr

sekelbos

isiZulu

uGagane

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Fabaceae

Order:

Fabales

Description

Dichrostachys cinerea is a thorny shrub or small tree, typically 3 – 7 meters tall, with strong, alternate thorns up to 8 cm long. The bipinnate leaves are up to 15 cm long, and the plant is notable for its bicolored cylindrical flower spikes: the upper half is lilac or pale purple (sterile), and the lower half is yellow (fertile). Twisted, mustard-brown pods follow the flowers. It is widespread in Africa, thriving in warm, dry savannas, grasslands, and disturbed areas. The species is highly adaptable and can colonize poor or disturbed soils, helping to stabilize and restore degraded land.

Plant Details

Height

3 - 7 meters (occasionally up to 8 meters)

Thorns

Strong, alternate, up to 8 cm long

Soil

Adaptable to clay, sandy, or poor soils; tolerates a wide pH range

Medium to slow

Growth Rate

3 - 7 meters (occasionally up to 8 meters)

Size

Several decades

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

Horticultural Zones

5.5 - 8.0

pH

Adaptable to clay, sandy, or poor soils; tolerates a wide pH range

Soil

Full sun

Aspect

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

High

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Thrives with other drought-tolerant savanna and bushveld species.

Caterpillars

Supports various Lepidoptera larvae and insect herbivores.

Associations

Descriptions

As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it enriches soil and curbs erosion. The nutritious pods are eaten by livestock, game, monkeys, rhinoceros, and bushpigs. The dense thickets provide shelter for wildlife and nesting sites for birds. The plant supports a variety of insects, including pollinators and herbivores, and can alter mammal diversity in invaded areas.

Flowers and fruits

Bicolored spikes (lilac/purple and yellow) attract bees and large carpenter bees (Xylocopa pubescens) as primary pollinators. Twisted pods are consumed by mammals, aiding seed dispersal.

Birds

Provides nesting and cover for birds; attracts insectivorous species due to insect abundance.

By Seeds:

Seeds can be sown in spring; soaking or scarification improves germination.

By Cuttings:

Not commonly used; seed propagation preferred.

Traditional Uses

Used for live fencing, tool handles, milk pots, and firewood; roots used as local anaesthetic and for medicinal purposes.
Pods are highly nutritious and eaten by stock and game.
Not known to be toxic.
Valuable for soil stabilization, erosion control, and rapid colonization of disturbed areas.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses