The Sweet Thorn is a large evergreen tree that grows up to 20 metres. Flowers from October to February and fruits from January to May. Distributed from Zambia, in the north, to the Western Cape in the South.
Giraffe, Kudu, Eland, Nyala, Sable, and Impala browse the leaves and the pods.
The bark contains 19% tannin. When used for tanning,
it gives the leather a reddish colour. The gum is edible with a pleasant sour
taste. The gum can also be used as an adhesive. The inner bark is used to
make rope.
Medicinal uses include an infusion of the bark to treat dysentery and diarrhoea.
Thrush can be treated with a mouthwash made from the gum.
Pictures of trees
