🌳 Vachellia tortilis (Umbrella Thorn Acacia)

Vachellia tortilis – شجرة السمر

Vachellia tortilis, known locally as شجرة السمر, is one of the most iconic native desert trees of the UAE. Famous for its distinctive umbrella-shaped canopy, twisted branches, and fine-textured leaves, this hardy tree is a symbol of the Arabian landscape. It naturally grows in deserts, wadis, and rocky areas, thriving under extreme heat, drought, and poor soil conditions.

The tree produces small, fragrant cream-colored flowers followed by curved seed pods, which are important for wildlife and desert ecosystems. السمر is widely used in native landscaping, farm shelter belts, ranches, desert resorts, and greening projects because of its exceptional resilience and minimal water requirements.

It is one of the strongest and longest-lived desert trees, frequently chosen for sustainable landscaping due to its deep root system, fast establishment in arid environments, and ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. Vachellia tortilis is also valued for stabilising soil, providing shade, and supporting biodiversity.