knobthorn, noun

Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Translation of Afrikaans knoppiesdoorn (see knoppiesdoring); see quotation 1977.
1. knobwood.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 270Knob-thorn or -wood, Xanthoxylon capense, Hars. One of the well-known indigenous trees of South Africa, the trunk of which is covered with a profusion of bluntly pointed protuberances, which give it a very curious appearance.
c1968 S. Candy Natal Coast Gardening 53Fagara capensis, ‘Knobthorn’, Native tree of charm with large thick thorns along the trunk.
2. In full knob-thorn tree: the tree Acacia nigrescens of the Fabaceae, with thorns borne on distinct knobs on bole and branches, and bearing creamy, sweetly-scented flowers; the wood of this tree; knobby thorn; knoppiesdoring sense 1. Also attributive.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 50Knobthorn = Knoppies’doorn.
1975 S. Afr. Panorama Dec.Furniture was mainly of wood indigenous to the Transvaal such as tambotie,..knoppiesdoring (knobthorn) and red and white syringa.
1977 E. Palmer Field Guide to Trees of Sn Afr. 130Knobthorn,..Bole: usually unbranched for some distance,..often (but not invariably) studded with conspicuous knobs, each tipped with a hooked thorn.
1987 S. Afr. Panorama Sept. 15The first acacia to bloom is the knob-thorn..it has pink buds and spikes of delicate creamy flowers which have a sweet fragrance.
1988 E. Smith in Conserva Feb. 17We make camp under a giant strangler fig. I find a knobthorn-tree to hang clothes out to air.
1990 Clinning & Fourie in Fauna & Flora No.47, 8Another common tree in this area is the knob thorn Acacia nigrescens with thorns which develop to form egg-sized knobs on its rough bark.
1991 J. Huntly in Sunday Star 16 Feb. (Weekend) 4The protective thorns of the acacias reach their most fearsome development in the knob-thorn (acacia nigrescens).
1993 Getaway Nov. 77 (caption)Knobthorns, marulas, tambotis, bush willows and other species create a filigree in the evening sky.
In full knob-thorn tree:the tree Acacia nigrescens of the Fabaceae, with thorns borne on distinct knobs on bole and branches, and bearing creamy, sweetly-scented flowers; the wood of this tree; knobby thorn; knoppiesdoring sense 1. Also attributive.
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Afrikaans
knob-stick, nounn.knobwood, nounn.
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