Whistling Thorn Tree
The whistling thorn tree is a lovely whistling tree that grows in the Serengeti Plains. This tree protects itself with long, sharp thorns that can grow up to three inches long. These smaller thorns are interspersed with altered thorns joined at base by hollow bulbous swellings, which are one inch in diameter. These are home to four kinds of stinging ants.
The stinging ants protect the tree, by swarming out of their little round nests, and attacking the invader at their smallest movement. Sadly, the whistling thorn tree does not have any toxic chemicals to deflect bugs and other small animals, so the ants protect the tree fiercly. When ants move out of their nests or the colony dies out, the nests become abandoned. These abandoned spines whistle when the wind blows.
The whistling thorn tree must find ways to preserve moisture. This tree’s leaves have luckily evolved into lots of tiny leaflets (pinnae), which can absorb sunlight for photosyntheses, or avoid the sunlight to reduce it’s transpiration. During the dry season, the tree will drop it’s tiny leaves to preserve it’s water. At the beginning of the rainy season, fragrant, creamy-white flowers will bloom before the leaves grow back.
Fun Fact! Did you know that the whistling sound the thorns make are associated with its name?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vsmithuk/3066195851/
The whistling thorn tree is a lovely whistling tree that grows in the Serengeti Plains. This tree protects itself with long, sharp thorns that can grow up to three inches long. These smaller thorns are interspersed with altered thorns joined at base by hollow bulbous swellings, which are one inch in diameter. These are home to four kinds of stinging ants.
The stinging ants protect the tree, by swarming out of their little round nests, and attacking the invader at their smallest movement. Sadly, the whistling thorn tree does not have any toxic chemicals to deflect bugs and other small animals, so the ants protect the tree fiercly. When ants move out of their nests or the colony dies out, the nests become abandoned. These abandoned spines whistle when the wind blows.
The whistling thorn tree must find ways to preserve moisture. This tree’s leaves have luckily evolved into lots of tiny leaflets (pinnae), which can absorb sunlight for photosyntheses, or avoid the sunlight to reduce it’s transpiration. During the dry season, the tree will drop it’s tiny leaves to preserve it’s water. At the beginning of the rainy season, fragrant, creamy-white flowers will bloom before the leaves grow back.
Fun Fact! Did you know that the whistling sound the thorns make are associated with its name?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vsmithuk/3066195851/