Whistling Thorn

Description:

Known as Whistling Thorn (family Fabaceae), is a swollen-thorn acacia native to East Africa. The whistling thorn grows up to 6 meters tall and is produces paired long thorns at each node, some of which have large bulbous bases. These swollen thorns are naturally hollow and occupied by any one of several symbiotic ant species. The common name of the plant is derived from the observation that when wind blows over bulbous thorns in which ants have made entry/exit holes, they create a whistling noise.

Habitat:

savanna

Notes:

Spotted these along the side of the road during a safari in Serengeti