Vachellia karroo in flower at Hartebeespoort Dam

The flowers of Vachellia karroo, the sweet thorn, occur in groups of up to seven on small spur-branches at the ends of the stems, not among the leaves. The flowers are yellow, spherical, bisexual and sweetly scented. Flowering occurs in great profusion, usually in mid-summer, but varying to coincide with the rainy season.

The leaves and pods are browsed by game and livestock (Coates Palgrave, 2002).