Dichrostachys cinerea

Dichrostachys cinerea is a thorny, small-sized and deciduous tree growing up to 6-8 m high.
 

The bark of Dichrostachys cinerea is light brown-coloured and deeply longitudinally fissured on old branches and trunk.

The leaves of Dichrostachys cinerea grow alternately on the stem (spirally arranged).
The leaf is compound (biparipinnate), bright green-coloured above and paler beneath. The leaf is pubescent on both sides (ash-coloured hairs).
The leaves have a 5 mm long petiole.
The compound leaf of Dichrostachys cinerea is 4-7 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide.
The leaflets are 1.3-1.5 mm long and about 0.7 mm wide. They are elliptic, the apex is obtuse, the base is rounded and the margins are entire.
 

The flowers of Dichrostachys cinerea are grouped in pendulous, solitary and axillary spikes.
The inflorescences are 3-7 cm long and about 2 cm across. The peduncle is 1.5-2 cm long and pubescent.
The upper flowers of the inflorescence are bisexual with 10 stamens and 1 pistil. They are yellow coloured.
The lower flowers are sterile with protruding, 6-8 mm long and pink or purple-coloured staminodes.
The calyx-tube is campanulate and 5-lobed, 0.5 mm long and 0.8 mm across The flowers are fragrant.
The corolla is composed of 5 cream-pinkish or cream-yellowish coloured petals. The petals are lanceolate, 1.5 mm long and 0.5-0.6 mm wide.
The flowers are fragrant.

The fruit of Dichrostachys cinerea is a flattened, hairy and brown-coloured pod. The fruit is often coiled, it is about 4 cm long and 5-6 mm wide and it contains 4-6 seeds.

The seeds of Dichrostachys cinerea are ovoid, shiny, compressed and brown-coloured. The seeds are 4-5 mm long and 3-4 mm wide. There are 4 to 6 seeds per pod.

Dichrostachys cinerea is often used as a fertiliser. The plant is widely used for soil conservation.

The young twig, the leaves and the pods of Dichrostachys cinerea are used as cattle fodder.

Source :
- Orwa C., Mutua A., Kindt R., Jamnadass R., Anthony S., 2009, Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide

The bark yields a strong fibre used for various applications such as twine.

The debarked roots are used for strong plaiting work such as for racks and baskets.

Source :
- Orwa C., Mutua A., Kindt R., Jamnadass R., Anthony S., 2009, Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide

The fruits and seeds of Dichrostachys cinerea are edible.

Source :
- Orwa C., Mutua A., Kindt R., Jamnadass R., Anthony S., 2009, Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide