Catophractes alexandri, the papwieldoring

Catophractes alexandri, the only species of its genus, is related to the jacaranda, the Cape honeysuckle and the yellow pomegranate. The pale grey shrubs flowering white are easy to spot among the sparse, accompanying vegetation.

The fierce thorns of the rigid, multistemmed bushes are dangerous to vehicle tyres (and people skins), while the often white flowers are large and inviting… a bit like the Sirens of the ancient Greek myth that first lured sailors with beguiling song and then did nasty things to the captured visitors.

The leaves of the trumpet thorn or papwieldoring are eaten by game and stock. Kudu eat the flowers, while black rhino eat the young branches (Mannheimer and Curtis, (Eds.), 2009; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iNaturalist; Wikipedia).

There is more about this plant in the Shrubs Album on this Site.