Bullhorn Acacia
by McKenzie
Amazing Acacia Facts
Ever seen a plant with thorns? Well, good for you, you've been outside before, but have you ever seen a plant with thorns that have ants in them? Probably not.
The plant in question is called the bullhorn acacia, and its swollen thorns at the base, or bottom, of the leaves give it its name. The tan thorns are very sharp and strong and can do serious damage to your skin if you rub against it, so don't go petting this tree! (or any, it's weird, really.)
On a different note, the bullhorn acacia has its own amazing species (type) of ants that fiercely protect the tree in return for the undiluted, or not altered, nutrients in the tree's leaves!
The average bullhorn is 33 feet tall and has dry seedpods as food for ant larvae. Cool!
by McKenzie
Amazing Acacia Facts
Ever seen a plant with thorns? Well, good for you, you've been outside before, but have you ever seen a plant with thorns that have ants in them? Probably not.
The plant in question is called the bullhorn acacia, and its swollen thorns at the base, or bottom, of the leaves give it its name. The tan thorns are very sharp and strong and can do serious damage to your skin if you rub against it, so don't go petting this tree! (or any, it's weird, really.)
On a different note, the bullhorn acacia has its own amazing species (type) of ants that fiercely protect the tree in return for the undiluted, or not altered, nutrients in the tree's leaves!
The average bullhorn is 33 feet tall and has dry seedpods as food for ant larvae. Cool!
The Bug's Behavior
Other plants, bugs and vines beware! The ants that live in the bullhorn acacia will sting and kill anything that harms the tree in any way. So don't try to take a bite out of this tree (or any tree, it’s weirder than petting it.) Inside of a bullhorn acacia thorn is sometimes hollowed out by the ants and they live in it.
You are probably wondering by now how the ants know when to attack. The answer is, the tree emits, or releases, a chemical that only gets released when the tree is getting attacked. That’s insane! But the ants are herbivores (that means they don’t eat meat.) They are also territorial, meaning that they are not very willing to have roommates. So don’t touch the tree. Just don’t.
Other plants, bugs and vines beware! The ants that live in the bullhorn acacia will sting and kill anything that harms the tree in any way. So don't try to take a bite out of this tree (or any tree, it’s weirder than petting it.) Inside of a bullhorn acacia thorn is sometimes hollowed out by the ants and they live in it.
You are probably wondering by now how the ants know when to attack. The answer is, the tree emits, or releases, a chemical that only gets released when the tree is getting attacked. That’s insane! But the ants are herbivores (that means they don’t eat meat.) They are also territorial, meaning that they are not very willing to have roommates. So don’t touch the tree. Just don’t.
Living Life in the Rainforest
This plant makes its habitat, or home, places like Mexico and Central America, two beautiful places with plenty of pointy, pretty trees.
The tree reproduces, or makes new trees, too! Magical! What sorcery is this? Well, no witchcraft or wizardry here, just the natural order of life in the rainforest.
The ants lay eggs, eggs turn into larvae (baby insects), the larvae need food, the tree makes seeds, the seeds get dropped on the ground by ants on their way to feed the larvae and new trees are born. The cycle never ends. What do you think of that?
Pray to Get Away, Predators!
Be afraid, bullhorn acacia, be afraid because of the predators! Other insects will try to take a bite out of the nutrient enriched leaves. Nutrients are basically food made by plants.The ants won’t have it, though. They will take a bite out of the insects!
Other vines may try to attack the tree, but the ants will assault them right back. Basically, the ants are like a good body guard and a high-end security system all in one! How amazing! The ants and the tree are a perfect example of a symbiotic relationship, or a natural pair that help one another. Cool, right?
Many Medicinal Uses!
Those faint at heart may wish to leave now, because this part is gross. Like, really gross. Did you know that sometimes the acacia ants are squeezed and strained, then put into water for babies to drink to relieve mucus and congestion, or a basic cough? Ew!
Also, acne and other skin maladies can be cured by bathing the affected area in water that the thorns have been boiled in, including the ants! Who knew?
The other use is the thorns are sometimes used to make jewelry and pins. Useful, huh? The thorns can be used to make the legs of the seed doll ballerina pins worn in El Salvador. Not to worry, though, no ants were harmed in the making of this jewelry.
Point being, both the tree and the ants have many medicinal uses!
Thanks for reading!
This plant makes its habitat, or home, places like Mexico and Central America, two beautiful places with plenty of pointy, pretty trees.
The tree reproduces, or makes new trees, too! Magical! What sorcery is this? Well, no witchcraft or wizardry here, just the natural order of life in the rainforest.
The ants lay eggs, eggs turn into larvae (baby insects), the larvae need food, the tree makes seeds, the seeds get dropped on the ground by ants on their way to feed the larvae and new trees are born. The cycle never ends. What do you think of that?
Pray to Get Away, Predators!
Be afraid, bullhorn acacia, be afraid because of the predators! Other insects will try to take a bite out of the nutrient enriched leaves. Nutrients are basically food made by plants.The ants won’t have it, though. They will take a bite out of the insects!
Other vines may try to attack the tree, but the ants will assault them right back. Basically, the ants are like a good body guard and a high-end security system all in one! How amazing! The ants and the tree are a perfect example of a symbiotic relationship, or a natural pair that help one another. Cool, right?
Many Medicinal Uses!
Those faint at heart may wish to leave now, because this part is gross. Like, really gross. Did you know that sometimes the acacia ants are squeezed and strained, then put into water for babies to drink to relieve mucus and congestion, or a basic cough? Ew!
Also, acne and other skin maladies can be cured by bathing the affected area in water that the thorns have been boiled in, including the ants! Who knew?
The other use is the thorns are sometimes used to make jewelry and pins. Useful, huh? The thorns can be used to make the legs of the seed doll ballerina pins worn in El Salvador. Not to worry, though, no ants were harmed in the making of this jewelry.
Point being, both the tree and the ants have many medicinal uses!
Thanks for reading!