Dichrostachys cinerea is a very variable and taxonomically complex species found from Africa to Australia. It has at times been treated as several distinct species, as is evident by the number of synonyms attributed to it.

Common Name: Marabou Thorn

General Information

Dichrostachys cinerea is a deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub or small tree with an open crown; it can grow from 1 - 8 metres tall, with occasional specimens to 12 metres[, ]. The plant is covered with spines and is sometimes suckering and thicket-forming[].
A true multi-purpose tree, providing food, medicines, fuel and various commodities[]. It is often planted in soil stabilization, reclamation projects and for its many other uses. It is also planted in the ornamental garden to show off the beautiful pink and yellow lantern flowers during early summer and the interesting branching pattern during winter[].
The population of this species is currently believed to be stable and no real threats are known at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Senegal to Somalia, south to Angola and Mozambique. E. Asia - India to Indonesia.

Habitat

Usually on poor, occasionally clayey soils, in brushwood, thickets, hedges, teak forest and grassland to elevations of 1,700 metres[, ]. Often forms widespread thickets by means of root suckers[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bats, Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to medium elevations in the tropics, growing best in moist areas but able to succeed in arid areas as well[]. It is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 40°c, but can tolerate 10 - 50°c[]. Plants are usually not frost tolerant[]. Plants can survive occasional light frosts - the top may be cut back but the plant resprouts freely from the base[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 300 - 500mm, but tolerates 200 - 600mm[]. These rainfall figures seem much too low - the plant can grow right into the rainforest zone[, ]. Mean annual rainfall ranges are 200 - 1,400mm, with a dry season that can range from 4 - 10 months[]. It occurs in areas with a strong seasonal climate[].
Succeeds in a range of soils from clays, through loams to sandy soils[]. Requires a well-drained soil[]. Succeeds in poor soils[]. Tolerates saline soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 8, tolerating 4.5 - 8.5[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[, ].
Dichrostachys cinerea is an ornamental plant that is also often used in soil stabilization programmes[]. It has been spead by human cultivation through much of the tropical zone, and has often escaped from cultivatio, becoming a noxious weed in at least one country (Cuba)[].. Seed production starts when plants are still very young. Each plant, as it grows larger, can produce a large number of seeds almost all year round - these can germinate freely and can also remain dormant in the soil for a long time[].The plant can also spread very rapidly and aggressively by means of suckers. It can encroach rapidly on overgrazed, trampled ground and on old lands where the grass cover has been removed. It is difficult to eradicate as it shoots again from portions of root[, ]. In certain situations, mechanical or chemical control measures are the only ways to control the potentially serious weed[].
A moderately slow-growing tree[]. The growth of the plants is very fast[].
For fuel wood plantations, dune stabilization, ravine reforestation, or erosion control, the spacing should be 3 x 5 metres. Dense plantings help stabilize gully plugs and check-dams[].
For soil conservation, the species should not be disturbed in any way. Its prolific root suckers will then provide natural spread for complete ground cover within a few years[].
The plant often suckers freely, has moderately vigorous coppicing ability and can also be pollarded and lopped[]. It usually survives fire by suckering and resprouting from the base[].
A plant in the range of 7 - 8.5 cm collar diameter is suitable for coppicing, and the whole plant can be harvested 15cm above ground level[]. The number of regenerated shoots varies between 5 and 9, of which 2 - 3 branches attain better growth in height, diameter and biomass[].
To get maximum fuel biomass, the plants should be harvested at 10 years[].
An average yield of 22.8 tonnes (11.1 tonnes when dried) of firewood may be expected on the 6th year from 1 hectare of wasteland[].
Yields of about 1 kilo of seed pods per mature plant can be expected[].
A fire-resistant species[].
This species is very variable over its great range and has been subdivided into no less than 10 subspecies and many varieties[].
A favourite plant to train as a bonsai[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. The fruit is a narrow, yellow or brown seedpod containing about 4 small black seeds[].

Seeds[, ].

Medicinal

The bark is astringent and vermifuge[]. It is used in the treatment of dysentery, headaches, toothaches and elephantiasis[, ].

The root is anthelmintic, purgative and strongly diuretic[]. Infusions are taken for the treatment of snakebites, leprosy, syphilis and coughs[, ]. A decoction of the root has been used as a contraceptive for women[].

The pounded roots and leaves are used to treat epilepsy[].
The roots or the leaves can be chewed and placed on the sites of snakebites and scorpion stings[].

The leaves are diuretic and laxative[, ]. Applied externally, they are believed to produce a local anaesthesia[]. They are used in treating gonorrhoea, boils, sore eyes and toothaches[]. A powder from the leaves is used in the massage of fractures[, ].

A chloroform extract of the leaves has been shown to possess antibacterial and analgesic activites.
A saponin extract of the leaves has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory activity
An aqueous extract of the leaves has been shown to possess analgesic and antiinflammatory activities

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is widely used for sand dune stabilization and soil conservation[]. In India, it is recommended for shallow soils, arid western and subhumid alluvial plains and highly degraded calcareous wastelands[].
Owing to its strong capacity for natural regeneration, it has high potential for ravine reforestation and other soil conservation purposes on difficult sites[].
The leaves, rich in nutrients, are frequently used as a green manure[]. In the Sahel, particularly along riverbanks, it is said to improve soils[]
A very effective hedge or barrier[]. Enclosures made with the plant prevent livestock and other animals from gaining entry to vegetable gardens, cash crops etc[]. However, since it is difficult to control due to its aggressive weedy character, the use of this plant as a live fence is limited[].
Plants can be an indicator of overgrazing in low rainfall areas[].

Other Uses

The bark yields a strong fibre that can be used for various applications such as twine[].
The debarked roots are used for strong plaiting work such as for racks and baskets[, ].

A gum obtained from the plant is of low quality[, ]. The gum is of good quality, with the potential as a product for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries

An essential oil is obtained from the plant. Its main constituents are geraniol (18.2%) and terpinen-4-ol (7.5%). It has been shown to be an effective larvicide and appears to have potential against filariasis and West Nile virus mosquito vectors, especially since it is effective at moderate doses[].

The seedpods can yield around 9% tannin[].

The plant has a high potential for use as an energy crop, especially in areas where it has become established but is not native (such as Cuba). As well as supplying biomass, this will also make it possible to restore land to its previous use as this species is gradually eradicated[].

The heartwood is red or dark purple with darker streaks; it is sharply differentiated from the sapwood, which is yellowish-brown with dark streaks. The grain is straight or slightly interlocked; the texture rather fine and even[]. The wood is medium heavy to very heavy, hard, durable and presumably resistant to the attacks of termites[, ]. Due to its generally small dimensions, its utilization is limited to making items such as walking sticks, handles, spears and tool handles[]. Fencing posts can easily last for up to 50 years[].
The wood is dense, burns slowly with few sparks and emits a non-toxic smoke, making it an excellent firewood[]. It gives off considerable heat both as a wood and a charcoal[]. Because the tree often grows many small trunks, it produces wood that is ideal in size for carrying in a headload[].

Propagation

Seed -
A fraction of seeds exhibit polyembryony with usually 2, sometimes 3, or rarely more embryos; the extent of polyembryony seems to be positively correlated with the number of seed produced[].
Natural regeneration is strongest by root suckers. Within a period of 10 years, an individual of this species can produce 130 new stems in a radius of 15 m by its root suckers. Artificial propagation by transplanting root suckers or by using root cuttings is likewise the easiest and usually most successful method of propagation.
Orthodox seed storage behaviour; little loss in viability during 26 years of hermetic storage at room temperature. Add ash to stored seed to reduce insect damage. Can be stored for up to 10 years at room temperature if kept dry and free from insects

Direct sowing of seed is also possible. The freshly collected ripe seeds take long to germinate (15-20 days), mainly due to a thick seed coat. Scarified seeds give better germination, and a pre-treatment of 25 minutes in concentrated sulphuric acid gives optimum germination of 3-7 days for freshly collected seeds. Three-year-old seeds require only a 15-minute pre-treatment for optimum germination. Under controlled conditions, more than 75% germination may be expected. As soon as the pods ripen on the tree, they should be collected and the seeds taken out, dried and stored. This way, a reasonable amount of seeds could be saved from insect attack. About 1 million seeds/year are expected from a plant and most of the seeds are viable.

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