Dichrostachys cinerea (sickle bush)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Impact Summary
- Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Wood Products
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Links to Websites
- Distribution Maps
Don't need the entire report?
Generate a print friendly version containing only the sections you need.
Generate reportIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn.
Preferred Common Name
- sickle bush
Other Scientific Names
- Cailliea cinerea (L.) Macbr.
- Cailliea dichrostachys (Pers.) Guill. et al.
- Cailliea glomerata (Forssk.) Macbr.
- Cailliea nutans (Pers.) Skeels
- Cailliea platycarpa (Welw. ex Bull) Macbr.
- Dichrostachys arborea N. E. Br.
- Dichrostachys glomerata (Forssk.) Chiov.
- Dichrostachys nutans (Pers.) Benth.
- Dichrostachys platycarpa Welw. ex Bull
- Mimosa cinerea L.
- Mimosa glomerata Forssk.
- Mimosa nutans Pers.
International Common Names
- English: Chinese latern tree; marabu thorn; mazabu
- Spanish: mazabu
- French: acacia saint domingue; mimosa clochette
Local Common Names
- Burkina Faso: agarof; kurkur
- Cape Verde: espinho cachupa; spinho cachupa
- Cuba: marabu; marabú
- Germany: Kalahari-Weihnachtsbaum
- India: bilatri; marult; odatare; segum-kati; vadatalla; veltu; veltura; vidattalai; vurtuli; wadu
- Mali: giliki; ntirigi
- Niger: d'und'u
- Nigeria: d'und'u
- Senegal: bourri; m'buuri; ntirigi; patroulahi; seb; sinke
- South Africa: Kalahari Christmas tree; sekelbos; tassels for the chief's hat
- Sudan: kakada
EPPO code
- DIRCA (Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. africana)
- DIRCI (Dichrostachys cinerea)
- DIRCN (Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. nyassana)
- DIRNU (Dichrostachys nutans)
Subspecies
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. africana
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. argillicola
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. burmana
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. cinerea
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. forbesii
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. keniensis
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. malesiana
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. nyassana
- Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. platycarpa
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageTaxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Mimosoideae
- Genus: Dichrostachys
- Species: Dichrostachys cinerea
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageDescription
Top of pageDistribution
Top of pageDistribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 10 Feb 2022Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Planted | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
||||||||
Algeria | Present | Native | ||||||
Angola | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Benin | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Botswana | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Burkina Faso | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Burundi | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Cabo Verde | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Cameroon | Present | Native | ||||||
Central African Republic | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Chad | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Comoros | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Congo, Republic of the | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Côte d'Ivoire | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Djibouti | Present | Native | ||||||
Egypt | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Eritrea | Present | Native | ||||||
Eswatini | Present | Native | ||||||
Ethiopia | Present | Native | ||||||
Gabon | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Gambia | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Ghana | Present | Native | ||||||
Guinea | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Guinea-Bissau | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Kenya | Present | Native | ||||||
Lesotho | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Liberia | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Libya | Present | Native | ||||||
Madagascar | Present | Native | ||||||
Malawi | Present | Native | ||||||
Mali | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Mauritania | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Mauritius | Present | Planted | ||||||
Mozambique | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Namibia | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Niger | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Nigeria | Present | Native | ||||||
Réunion | Present | Native | ||||||
Rwanda | Present | Introduced | ||||||
São Tomé and Príncipe | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Senegal | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Seychelles | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Sierra Leone | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Somalia | Present | Native | ||||||
South Africa | Present | Native | ||||||
Sudan | Present | Native | ||||||
Tanzania | Present | Native | ||||||
-Zanzibar Island | Present | Native | ||||||
Togo | Present | Native | ||||||
Tunisia | Present | Native | ||||||
Uganda | Present | Native | ||||||
Western Sahara | Present | Native | ||||||
Zambia | Present | Native | ||||||
Zimbabwe | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Asia |
||||||||
Afghanistan | Present | Native | ||||||
Brunei | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Cambodia | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
China | Present | Native | ||||||
India | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
-Andhra Pradesh | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Gujarat | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Haryana | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Karnataka | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Madhya Pradesh | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Maharashtra | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Odisha | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Rajasthan | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Tamil Nadu | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Uttar Pradesh | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Indonesia | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Java | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Iran | Present | Introduced | Original citation: World Agroforestry Centre, 2004 | |||||
Iraq | Present | Native | ||||||
Israel | Present | Native | Planted | |||||
Jordan | Present | Planted | ||||||
Kuwait | Present | Native | ||||||
Laos | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Malaysia | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Myanmar | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Oman | Present | Native | ||||||
Pakistan | Present | Native | Planted | |||||
Philippines | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Qatar | Present | Native | ||||||
Saudi Arabia | Present | Native | ||||||
Sri Lanka | Present | Native | ||||||
Thailand | Present | Introduced | ||||||
United Arab Emirates | Present | Native | ||||||
Vietnam | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Yemen | Present | Introduced | ||||||
North America |
||||||||
Cuba | Present | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
Dominica | Present | Planted | ||||||
Dominican Republic | Present | Planted | ||||||
Guadeloupe | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Jamaica | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
Martinique | Present | Introduced | Planted | |||||
United States | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Florida | Present | Introduced | 1998 | Planted | ||||
-Hawaii | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Oceania |
||||||||
Australia | Present | Introduced | 1960 | |||||
-Northern Territory | Present | Introduced | ||||||
-Queensland | Present | Introduced | ||||||
Papua New Guinea | Present | Native | ||||||
South America |
||||||||
Brazil | Present | Native |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageRisk of Introduction
Top of pageHabitat
Top of pageHabitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageSeveral subspecies are recorded, and noting its very wide native range, large morphological variations are to be expected. However, no breeding has been undertaken, even for ornamental, less invasive varieties.
Physiology and Phenology
D. cinerea is a long-lived, fast growing tree. Seeds can be produced by young trees (Fournet, 2004). D. cinerea has prolific root suckers and can regenerate from very small root cuttings. It can produce 130 new stems from root suckers within a 15 m radius from the main trunk over 10 years (World Agroforestry Centre, 2005). It is fire resistant.
D. cinerea flowers between September to June in Indonesia and from October to February in south Africa and fruits ripen between March to May in Indonesia and May to September in South Africa (World Agroforestry Centre, 2005).
D. cinerea is propagated easily by seeds or cuttings. Seeds are orthodox, approximately 39,000 seeds/kg, and require pretreatment before sowing as for other legumes, i.e. soaking in hot water or manual scarification. Vegetative propagation may be achieved via root or shoot cuttings, or by severing and transplanting root suckers.
Reproductive Biology
Large numbers of seeds are produced almost all year long (Fournet, 2004). Polyembryony has been observed in the seeds (World Agroforestry Centre, 2005). In the inflorescences, the terminal lower flowers are hermaphroditic and the upper flowers of a hanging spike are sterile
Environmental Requirements
D. cinerea is widely distributed in the seasonally dry tropics on a range of soil types including saline and infertile soils. Mean annual temperatures where D. cinerea grows are 15-27°C, but also tolerating mean monthly temperatures as high as 38°C and an absolute minimum temperature of 0°C. Mean annual rainfall ranges are 200-1400 mm, with dry season durations of 4-10 months. It is known to occur from sea level in coastal areas up to 2000 m altitude in Ethiopia (von Maydell, 1986).
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of pageLatitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
32 | -30 | 0 | 2000 |
Air Temperature
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit |
---|---|---|
Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | -2 | 0 |
Mean annual temperature (ºC) | 15 | 27 |
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 16 | 38 |
Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 6 | 15 |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Dry season duration | 4 | 10 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
Mean annual rainfall | 200 | 1400 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- free
- seasonally waterlogged
Soil reaction
- acid
- neutral
Soil texture
- heavy
- light
- medium
Special soil tolerances
- infertile
- saline
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageMeans of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageImpact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Animal/plant collections | None |
Animal/plant products | None |
Biodiversity (generally) | None |
Crop production | None |
Environment (generally) | None |
Fisheries / aquaculture | None |
Forestry production | Negative |
Human health | Positive |
Livestock production | Negative |
Native fauna | None |
Native flora | Negative |
Rare/protected species | None |
Tourism | None |
Trade/international relations | None |
Transport/travel | None |
Impact
Top of pageEnvironmental Impact
Top of pageRisk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Invasive in its native range
- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Highly mobile locally
- Has high reproductive potential
- Negatively impacts agriculture
- Negatively impacts tourism
- Reduced amenity values
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Produces spines, thorns or burrs
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageThe wood is very heavy and dark; the heartwood is dark brown and sapwood is light brown or yellow with dark streaks (von Maydell, 1986). It is considered to be termite resitant and has been used for a wide range of purposes including round wood, posts, exterior fittings, fences, though its utilization is limited by the scarcity of suitable dimensions and is more commonly used for walking sticks, tool handles, spears, etc. (von Maydell, 1986). The wood is most commonly used as a fuel or for making charcoal. It has a high calorific value, burns slowly and is sought after as a preferred source of fuel.
Non-wood uses include gums, lac, fodder, dyestuffs, bark products, fibres, honey and medicinal products. Debarked roots are used for strong weaving work such as baskets and racks, and bark fibres for various apllications (Maydell, 1986). Leaves and seeds are edible but are commonly sought after by livestock and are considered very nutritious. The bark, roots and leaves are all used for a number of medicinal purposes for example to treat headaches, toothaches, stings, sore eyes, leprosy, epilepsy and as a diuretic (World Agroforestry Centre, 2005), and to treat snakebites, elephantitis and other internal parasitic worms, syphilis and gonorrhoea (von Maydell, 1986).
Uses List
Top of pageAnimal feed, fodder, forage
- Fodder/animal feed
- Invertebrate food for lac/wax insects
Environmental
- Agroforestry
- Boundary, barrier or support
- Erosion control or dune stabilization
- Revegetation
- Soil improvement
Fuels
- Charcoal
- Fuelwood
Human food and beverage
- Honey/honey flora
Materials
- Dye/tanning
- Gum/resin
- Miscellaneous materials
- Wood/timber
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Source of medicine/pharmaceutical
Wood Products
Top of pageCharcoal
Roundwood
- Posts
Sawn or hewn building timbers
- Exterior fittings
- Fences
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
The control of D. cinerea as a weed with methods such as cutting and burning is not recommended as the seeds can survive in the soil (Fournet, 2004), though mechanical control methods have been suggested as a control measure by World Agroforestry Centre (2005). A rust fungus, Uredo deformis has been identified in Sri Lanka as a potential biocontrol agent (Evans, 1999).References
Top of pageAlvarez M; Betancourt M, 1982. Combining mechanical and chemical methods to control Dichrostachys cinerea in Cuba. Boletin Tecnico Forestal, No. 1/82:1-9
Brenan JPM, 1959. Flora of tropical East Africa: Leguminosae-Mimosoideae. London, UK: Crown Agents for Overseas Governments.
Coates-Palgrave K, 1977. Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: C. Struik Publishers.
Cooke G, 1998. The Tree Species of Djuma Game Reserve. South Africa, Kruger National Park. http://www.djuma.com/t_d_cinerea.htm.
Cowan RS, 1998. Dichrostachys. Flora of Australia, 12:19.
Fournet J, 2004. Dichrostachys cinerea. Global Invasive Species Database. New Zealand: University of Auckland. http://issg.appfa.auckland.ac.nz/database/species/ecology.asp?si=161&fr=1&sts=sss.
Hernández G, 2002. Invasive bush in Cuba: the case of marabú. Invasives in Mesoamerica and the Carribean, Costa Rica: IUCN. http://www.iucn.org/places/orma/publica_gnl/especies.pdf.
Hocking D, ed. , 1993. Trees for drylands. New Delhi, India: Oxford and IBH.
Lock JM, 1989. Legumes of Africa. A check-list. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
Lock JM; Heald J, 1994. Legumes of Indo-China: a check-list. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens.
Lock JM; Simpson K, 1991. Legumes of West Asia. A Check List. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
Meyer T; Kellner K; Viljoen C, 2004. Land Transformation and Soil Quality. South Africa. http://www.nwpg.org.za/soer/fullreport/land%20transformation.asp#5.
Moyroud R, 2000. Exotic weeds threaten, a brief overview and early alarm call. Wildland Weeds, 3(2):4-8. Florida, USA: Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. http://biological-diversity.info/Downloads/Exoticweeds_Moyroud.pdf.
Oviedo Prieto R; Herrera Oliver P; Caluff MG, et al. , 2012. National list of invasive and potentially invasive plants in the Republic of Cuba - 2011. (Lista nacional de especies de plantas invasoras y potencialmente invasoras en la República de Cuba - 2011). Bissea: Boletín sobre Conservación de Plantas del Jardín Botánico Nacional de Cuba, 6(Special Issue 1):22-96.
PIER, 1999. Dichrostachys cinerea. Hawaii, USA: Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). http://www.hear.org/pier/species/dichrostachys_cinerea.htm.
Rai P; Roy RD; Rao GR, 1995. Evaluation of multipurpose tree species in rangeland under semi arid condition of Uttar Pradesh. Range Management & Agroforestry. 16(2): 103-113.
Sastry TCS; Kavathekar KY; eds, 1990. Plants for reclamation of wastelands. New Delhi, India: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. xii + 684 pp.; 20 pp. of colour pl. (unpaginated); 36 pp. of ref.
Troup RS; Joshi HB, 1983. The Silviculture of Indian Trees. Vol IV. Leguminosae. Delhi, India; Controller of Publications.
World Agroforestry Centre, 2004. Agroforestree Database. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/Sites/TreeDBS/AFT/.
World Agroforestry Centre, 2005. Agroforestree Database. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre. http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/Sites/TreeDBS/AFT/
Zimmermann H; Klein H, 2004. The use of biological control agents for the control of plant invaders and the importance of partnerships. South Africa: Plant Protection Research Institute. http://www-dwaf.pwv.gov.za/wfw/Docs/Papers/.
Distribution References
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Fournet J, 2004. Dichrostachys cinerea. In: Global Invasive Species Database, New Zealand: University of Auckland. http://issg.appfa.auckland.ac.nz/database/species/ecology.asp?si=161&fr=1&sts=sss
Hernández G, 2002. Invasive bush in Cuba: the case of marabú. In: Invasives in Mesoamerica and the Carribean, Costa Rica: IUCN. http://www.iucn.org/places/orma/publica_gnl/especies.pdf
Meyer T, Kellner K, Viljoen C, 2004. Land Transformation and Soil Quality., South Africa: http://www.nwpg.org.za/soer/fullreport/land%20transformation.asp#5
Moyroud R, 2000. Exotic weeds threaten, a brief overview and early alarm call. In: Wildland Weeds, 3 (2) Florida, USA: Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 4-8. http://biological-diversity.info/Downloads/Exoticweeds_Moyroud.pdf
PIER, 1999. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk. In: Hawaii, USA: Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) [Dichrostachys cinerea], Honolulu, USA: HEAR, University of Hawaii. http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html
World Agroforestry Centre, 2005. Agroforestree Database., Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre. http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/Sites/TreeDBS/AFT/
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
Distribution Maps
Top of pageSelect a dataset
Map Legends
-
CABI Summary Records
Map Filters
Unsupported Web Browser:
One or more of the features that are needed to show you the maps functionality are not available in the web browser that you are using.
Please consider upgrading your browser to the latest version or installing a new browser.
More information about modern web browsers can be found at http://browsehappy.com/