Fabaceae-Caesalpinaceae
Parkinsonia aculeata
Jerusalem Thorn · mkeketa
T
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This small to medium-sized tree typically grows 2-10 meters tall and is identifiable by its smooth, yellow-green bark and spiny branches with recurved thorns. It features bipinnately compound leaves with tiny leaflets that often drop in dry periods, leaving green petioles and branches to photosynthesize. Showy, fragrant yellow flowers, often marked with orange-red spots, bloom profusely through warm months, followed by linear pods.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for a Kilifi-coast garden, this tree thrives in full sun and a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, alkaline, and saline conditions. It serves well as a specimen tree, for light shade, erosion control, or as a thorny live fence or windbreak. Avoid waterlogged areas as it is intolerant of soggy soil.
Growing notes
A fast-growing species, Jerusalem Thorn is highly drought and heat-tolerant once established, requiring low to moderate water. While generally hardy, it can be short-lived and does not tolerate poor drainage, which can shorten its lifespan. Its spiny nature necessitates careful placement away from high-traffic paths.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: levypreserve.org, wikipedia.org, acacia-ae.com, ufl.edu, smgrowers.com, arizona.edu. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.