Karoo thorn (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries)

Karoo thorn

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Karoo thorn

Pest alert

If you have seen this plant

Call QPIF  13 25 23

Karoo thorn
Karoo thorn (Acacia karroo)
Karoo thorn flower
Flowers
Photo courtesy Jennifer Gardner, University of Adelaide
Karoo thorn pods
Seed pods
Photo courtesy Jennifer Gardner, University of Adelaide
Karoo thorn plant
Karoo thorn plant
Photo courtesy Jennifer Gardner, University of Adelaide

General information

Karoo thorn (Acacia karroo) is a Class 1 declared pest plant in Queensland. Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests. It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Penalties of up to $80,000 apply.

Karoo thorn, a fast-growing native of southern Africa, is a shrub or tree that grows to 12 m high. It has paired white thorns, usually up to 10 cm long although occasionally thorns can be as long as 25 cm.

Overview

Scientific name

Acacia karroo
Impacts
  • has the potential to invade large areas, particularly where the land has been overgrazed
  • is fire resistant and well suited to rangelands and open grasslands
  • reduces agricultural productivity by suppressing the growth of grasses
  • can prevent stock movement and can restrict watering
Description
  • a shrub or tree up to 12 m high
  • long, white paired thorns, usually up to 10 cm long
  • yellow ball-shaped flowers in clusters of between four and six, 1-1.5 cm in diameter
  • has dark red-brown to black rough bark
  • leaves are light green and fern-like, up to 12 cm long and about 5 cm wide
  • seed pods are sickle-shaped, woody and slightly constricted between the seeds, up to 16 cm long and 1 cm wide
Habitat and distribution
  • reproduces by seed; large trees produce up to 19,000 seeds per year
  • seeds are dispersed by wind and water or in the droppings of animals
  • can lie in the soil for seven years and still germinate
  • is not common in Queensland with only two recorded infestations
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 1 plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • importation, possession and sale is prohibited
  • landowners are required by law to keep their land free of this plant
Further information

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Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 21 April 2009

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Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland. Inquiries should be addressed to copyright@dpi.qld.gov.au (Queensland residents phone 13 25 23; non-Queensland residents phone 61 7 3404 6999).