Description

The Santo Domingo acacia, scientifically known as Dichrostachys cinerea, is a shrub native to tropical Africa. The Santo Domingo acacia can grow between 4 and 7 meters and often forms thick thickets. Its branches are short and thorny. Its leaves are bipinnate. But it’s its inflorescences that make this plant stand out. They are large, mauve to pink tufts on the lower part and yellow on the upper part. When the Santo Domingo acacia is in full bloom, it is adorned with a multitude of beautiful bottlebrushes.

It is also a medicinal plant with deworming properties.

Habitat :
It colonizes highly degraded, moderately humid and dry forest environments (near agricultural land or urban areas).
Dichrostachys cinerea is a plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, but is also found in the Caribbean, Asia, and Central and South America. It has been introduced to many other tropical and subtropical regions where it is sometimes considered invasive. This species is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide variety of soils, including sandy, clayey, and calcareous soils. It is particularly well-adapted to nutrient-poor soils.

Dichrostachys cinerea is often found in savannas, grasslands, shrublands, and roadsides. It can thrive in open areas with good sun exposure, but it is also capable of establishing itself in semi-shaded areas. This plant is drought-resistant and can survive in harsh climatic conditions, including areas prone to drought or erratic rainfall. It can also tolerate bushfires and regenerate after fires.
It is a very resilient and adaptable species, capable of colonizing a wide variety of habitats in tropical and subtropical regions.

Threat Factor : Introduced to Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion, the Santo Domingo acacia is a threat; it is an invasive species in the forests of these three territories.