Part of the family Mimosacea, Acacia is a large genus found in the African savanna. The umbrella thorn tree (Acacia tortilis) can grow up to 69 feet while the giraffe thorn tree (Acacia erioloba) has tender leaves that feed giraffes. Other Acacia species include the sweet thorn tree (Acacia karroo), which can reach up to 40 feet in height; the knobthorn (Acacia nigrescens), which has a hard timber; and the blackthorn (Acacia mellifera), which produces sweet-scented blossoms. Some Acacia species are also shrubs. Member of the family Combretaceae, the silver clusterleaf tree (Terminalia sericea) features a silvery-blue bark and silvery leaves.
The red bush willow (Combretum apiculatum) features yellowish oval leaves and very small clustered flowers while the leadwood tree (Combretum imberbe) is umbrella-shaped, reaching up to 70 feet. Part of the Malvaceae family, the iconic baobab (Adansonia digitata) is one of the better-known trees found in the African savanna, recognized by its thick trunk and carrion-scented white flowers.
The sickle bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) grows up to 23 feet in height. Its branches have strong thorns, some as long as 3 inches. Also called Chinese lantern tree, it has bi-colored pink to purple and yellow flowers, similar to Chinese lanterns. Gymnosporia, a genus of the family Celastraceae, includes small, spike-thorn trees, some of them endangered.
Common bushes found in the African savanna include the kruisbessie shrub (Grewia robusta), which produces small lilac flowers; the raisin bush (Grewia flava); several species of boxthorn (genus Lycium); the dune crow-berry (Rhus crenata), especially found in the southern savannas; the wandering Jew (Commelina africana), a medicinal plant according to the Ndebele tribe traditions; and some plants of the genus Diospyros, such as the bushveld bluebush (D. lycioides).