​The Umbrella Thorn is a tree that is native to most of Africa. It’s scientific name is vachellia tortilis. Growing up to 69 feet it’s ‘umbrella’ top can spread 26-42 feet. Their small leaves don’t get much sun. They evolved to have a wide spreading top to make up for their small leaves. They have two types of thorns. One has a straight tip and the other one is curved. The umbrella thorn also produces pod like fruits which are eaten by many native animals. It also has a feather like flower.

For a bit now we have been working on a biome project. The assessment is to build a website and a diorama, about the biome we got. Me and my partner Maddy got Savanah. One of the plants I wrote about for the website was the Umbrella Thorn.

 

Questions:

What animals depend on the umbrella thorn?

Who named the umbrella thorn?

Does the top the umbrella thorn kill other plants below it by overshadowing them?