Acacia and antelope

Case study of Acacia and its natural phenomenon:

Narendra Patel
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

art ic l e i nf o abstr ac t

Article history: The objective is to analyze the natural phenomena of acacia tree and it’s alarm signal
communication with another tree when antelope browse on their leaves, according to a
Keywords: zoologist from Pretoria University. Wouter Van Hoven says that acacias nibbled by antelope
Acacia produce leaf tannin in quantities lethal to the browsers, and emit ethylene into the air which
Antelope can travel up to 50 yards. The ethylene warns other trees of the impending danger, which then
Tree alarm system and bodyguard step up their own production of leaf tannin within just five to ten minutes.
Van Hoven made his discovery when asked to investigate the sudden death of some 3000
South African antelope, called kudu, on game ranches in the Transvaal. He noticed that giraffe,
roaming freely, browsed only on one acacia tree in ten, avoiding those trees which were
downwind. Kudu, which are fenced in on the game ranches, have little other than acacia leaves
to eat during the winter months. So the antelope continue to browse until the tannin from the
leaves sets off a lethal metabolic chain reaction in their bodies.
Van Hoven’s research is to be published in the Journal of African Zoology. He described his
results at a recent conference in France. Claude Edelin of the National Scientific Research
Centre (CNRS) described the discovery as ‘terribly exciting’.
Fifteen years ago, a French scientist at the CNRS, Paul Caro, found that oak trees attacked by
caterpillars reacted by stepping up the quantity of tannin and phenol produced in their leaves.
Caro observed that the trees’ defense mechanism inhibited the growth of the larvae.

1. Introduction
1.1. Acacia tree introduction– context
Acacia recognizable by its classical “umbrella” canopy and is part of large family (genus) of tree with hundred of species growing in
the trophic and warm parts of the world, including southern Africa, it’s a versatile tree that is widely cultivated, especially in Australia
for its wood, yellow flowers and leaves.
The African species, with its table-top shape, provides welcome shade for animals and human alike, its fern-like appearance has little
vegetation underneath, while the pea-shaped, yellow blossoms are both eye-catching and fragrant.

1.2 Acacia tree history- context

Acacia, commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea
family Fabaceae. Initially it comprised a group of plant species native to Africa and Australia, with the first species A. nilotica described
by Linnaeus. Controversy erupted in the early 2000s when it became evident that the genus as it stood was not monophyletic, and that
several divergent lineages needed to be placed in separate genera. It turned out that one lineage comprising over 900 species mainly
native to Australia was not closely related to the mainly African lineage that contained A. nilotica—the first and type species. This meant
that the Australian lineage (by far the most prolific in number of species) would need to be renamed. Botanist Les Pedley named this
group Racosperma, which was inconsistently adopted. Australian botanists proposed that this would be more disruptive than setting a
different type species (A. penninervis) and allowing this large number of species to remain Acacia, resulting in the two African lineages
being renamed Vachellia and Senegalia, and the two New World lineages renamed Acaciella and Mariosousa. This was officially adopted,
but many botanists from Africa and elsewhere disagreed that this was necessary.

A number of species have been introduced to various parts of the world, and two million hectares of commercial plantations have
been established. The heterogeneous group varies considerably in habit, from mat-like subshrubs to canopy trees in forest.
 2. Acacia: Tree with an alarm system

Along with the production of thorns and the usual accompaniment of ants that nest in these trees, the African acacia has developed
an incredible early warning “alarm system” to warn other tree s when browsers such as the antelope are in the area. Wouter van hoven
(a zoologist from the pretoria university) has found that when the leaves of acacia are nibbled , they produce high doses of tannin in their
foliage, which may be lethal to browsers. The trees also release a chemical warning system to warn nearby trees of approaching danger by
releasing ethylene that can travel as far as 50 yards! All it takes is five to ten minute for the neighboring trees to step up their leaf tannin
production to repel lucking browsers.

Fig 2. Giraffes have long black tongues with which they expertly pick the leaves of an Acacia

Van hoven made this incredible discovery whilst investigating the unexpected death of round 3000 south African antelope(called kudu)
which died around game ranches in the former Transvaal. The Pretoria zoologist also noted that giraffe only browsed on one in ten acacia
trees, completely avoiding the trees that were situated downwind. The kudu antelope, on the other hand, (who have little else to feed on
during the winter months) continued to browse on the acacia leaves until the lethal metabolic reaction through the tannin was set off in their
bodies. Van hoven described his latest findings at a recent conference in France, which will be published by the journal of African zoology.

3. Acacia : Tree with bodyguards

The African acacia, in fact, has adapted in such a way that they even have tribes of ants protecting the tree from herbivores trying to eat its
leaves. Interestingly enough, the tree has developed a symbolic relationship with stinging ants who live in the acacia thorns (which they
hollow out and use as nesting sites) whilst feeding on its nectar. If a big African mammal takes a bite of its leaves, the stinging ants see to it
that the animal will certainly think twice before taking another bite! As one researcher put it “it’s as if the tree hires bodyguards, in the form
of ants, to protect it from being eaten.”

Fig 3. Stinging ants busy hollowing out the thorn of an Acacia to use as their nesting site

Isn’t mother nature remarkable! To think that this tree has evolved into what it is today in large part due to its unique defense systems that
have kept herbivorous animals at bay. Look out for these trees on your next African safari and impress your fellow travelers with your
knowledge of acacia tree behavior.

4. More fascinating facts

Although acacias typically have short lifespan (around 20 years) when compared with the longevity of the oak and other large trees , they
grows fast and high, reaching up to about 12m . during the peak years of growth, the stunning blooms and large seedpods lead a dramatic
appearance to the savannah.
The various species of acacia were used by early shipbuilders for its durable wood, and today many countries cultivate the entire the entire
tree for all sorts of things. Along with the wood being used for furniture , flooring and even weapons and jewelry, the gum is used as
adhesive, for medicine, and even for chewing gum and desserts. Furthermore, the blossom can be used as flavoring the seeds utilized in
sauces and the tannin as a dye. And in central America, the swollen thorns even made into beautiful necklaces.
Acacia, (genus Acacia), genus of about 160 species of trees and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae). Acacias are native to tropical and
subtropical regions of the world, particularly Australia (where they are called wattles) and Africa, where they are well-known landmarks on
the veld and savanna.
Acacias’ distinctive leaves take the form of small finely divided leaflets that give the leafstalk a feathery or fernlike (i.e., pinnate)
appearance. In many Australian and Pacific species, the leaflets are suppressed or absent altogether, and the leafstalks (petioles) are flattened
and perform the physiological functions of leaves. The leafstalks may be vertically arranged and bear thorns or sharp curved prickles at their
base. Acacias are also distinguished by their small, often fragrant flowers, which are arranged in compact globular or cylindrical clusters. The
flowers are usually yellow but occasionally white and have many stamens apiece, giving each one a fuzzy appearance. The fruits
are legumes and are highly variable in appearance, depending on the species. Acacias are often confused with members of the closely related
genus Mimosa.
Several acacia species are important economically. Gum acacia (Acacia senegal), native to the Sudan region in Africa, yields true gum
arabic, a substance used in adhesives, pharmaceuticals, inks, confections, and other products. The bark of most acacias is rich in tannin, which
is used in tanning and in dyes, inks, pharmaceuticals, and other products. Several Australian acacias are valuable sources of tannin, among
them the golden wattle (A. pycnantha), the green wattle (A. decurrens), and the silver wattle (A. dealbata). A few species produce valuable
timber, among them the Australian blackwood (A. melanoxylon); the yarran (A. omalophylla), also of Australia; and A. koa of Hawaii. Many of
the Australian acacia species have been widely introduced elsewhere as cultivated small trees valued for their spectacular floral displays.
 5. Acacia tree growing condition

Acacia requires full sunlight and grows in nearly any type of soil, including sand, clay, or soil that is highly alkaline or acidic. Although
acacia prefers well-drained soil, it tolerates muddy soil for short periods of time.

6. Acacia tree care

Acacia is basically a plant-it-and-forget-it type of tree, although a young tree may need protection from wildlife while it develops its
defense system. During the first year, the tree benefits from an orchid fertilizer every three to four weeks. After that time, you can feed the
tree a general purpose fertilizer once every year, but it isn’t an absolute requirement. Acacia requires little or no water. Acacia may need
occasional pruning during the dry months. Avoid pruning leafy, green areas and trim only dead growth. Although the tree is disease-resistant,
it can sometimes be affected by a fungal disease known as anthracnose. Additionally, watch for pests such as aphids, thrips, mites and scale.

7. Acacia tree types

Acacia trees preferred by most gardeners are varieties that burst out with yellow blooms in the winter or early spring. Popular types
include: Bailey acacia, a hardy Australian variety that reaches heights of 20 to 30 feet.

 Bailey acacia displays feathery, bluish-gray foliage and bright yellow wintertime blooms. Also known as Texas acacia, Guajillo is
an extremely heat-tolerant tree that hales from southern Texas and Mexico. It is a shrubby plant that reaches heights of 5 to 12
feet. This species produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in early spring.
 Knifeleaf acacia is named for its silvery-gray, knife-shaped leaves. Mature height for this tree is 10 to 15 feet. Sweet-smelling
yellow flowers appear in early spring.
 Koa is a fast-growing acacia native to Hawaii. This tree, which eventually reaches heights and widths of up to 60 feet,

8. Uses
Aboriginal Australians have traditionally harvested the seeds of some species, to be ground into flour and eaten as a paste or baked into a
cake. The seeds contain as much as 25% more protein than common cereals, and they store well for long periods due to the hard seed
coats.[21] In addition to utilizing the edible seed and gum, the people employed the timber for implements, weapons, fuel and musical
instruments.[6] In ancient Egypt, an ointment made from the ground leaves of the plant was used to treat hemorrhoids.[23] A number of
species, most notably A. mangium (hickory wattle), A. mearnsii (black wattle) and A. saligna (coojong), are economically important and are
widely planted globally for wood products, tannin, firewood and fodder.[8] A. melanoxylon (blackwood) and A. aneura (mulga) supply some of
the most attractive timbers in the genus.[6] Black wattle bark supported the tanning industries of several countries, and may supply tannins
for production of waterproof adhesives.
Acacia is repeatedly mentioned in the Book of Exodus, perhaps referring to Acacia raddiana, in regards to the construction of
the Tabernacle.
Acacia is a common food source and host plant for butterflies of the genus Jalmenus. The imperial hairstreak, Jalmenus evagoras, feeds on at
least 25 acacia species.
Acacia honey is not collected from plants in the acacia family, but rather from Robinia pseudoacacia, known as black locust in North
America. Honey collected from Caragana arborescens is sometimes also called (yellow) acacia honey. See also Monofloral honey.
The hardened sap of various species of the acacia tree are known as acacia gum. Acacia gum is used as an emulsifier in food, a binder for
watercolour painting, an additive to ceramic glazes, a binding in gum bichromate photography, a protective layer in the lithographic
processes and as a binder to bind together fireworks.
Wattle bark collected in Australia in the 19th century was exported to Europe where it was used in the tanning process. One ton of wattle
or mimosa bark contained about 150 lbs of pure tannin.

9. Reference

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia
[2] https://www.southerndestinations.com/incredible-acacia-tree-phenomenon/
[3] https://www.britannica.com/plant/acacia
[4] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/acacia