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Elephantorrhiza elephantina

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A plant from the wild by JMK, Wikimedia.org.


The flowers by Kerry Baytopp, Waterberg-bioquest.co.za.

Author:  Homer Collar Skeels, 1909
Family:  FABACEAE
Origin:  Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Maximum
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  6 Centimetres
Height:  20-60 Centimetres
Flower:  Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Eland's Bean, Eland's Wattle, Elephant's Root.
Synonyms:  Acacia elephantina, Burchell. 1824,
Acacia elephanthorhiza
A. P. de Candolle,
Elephantorrhiza burchellii,
Benth.
Prosopis elephantina, E.Mey.
Prosopis elephantorrhiza,
Spreng.

This member of the Fabaceae family was given this name by Homer Collar Skeels in 1909. It is found in the southern part of Africa, growing in a well-drained soil with lots of water in summer and some sun. The thickened root is said to be more then eight meters long, although I doubt it. Guess six centimetres in diameter with annual branches of 20 to 60 centimetres are more correct although the related/subspecies; Elephantorrhiza burkii can grow to six metres.

The genera name means 'elephant root'. The species name means 'elephant-like'.

Seen as Mimosaceae and of cause as Leguminosae.


My humble plant.