Sickle Bush, Princess Earrings, Kalahari Christmas Tree, Marabou Thorn
Dichrostachys cinerea

Family: Mimosaceae
Genus: Dichrostachys (dy-kro-STAK-iss)
Species: cinerea (sin-EER-ee-uh)

Synonym:Cailliea glomerata

Synonym:Dichrostachys nutans

Category
Perennials
Shrubs
Trees

Height
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)

Spacing

Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Bloom Color
Pink
Pale Yellow

Bloom Time
Mid Summer

Foliage
Evergreen

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
This plant is fire-retardant
Suitable for growing in containers

Soil pH requirements

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Scarify seed before sowing
By simple layering
By air layering

Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored