Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) Vachellia xanthophloea
Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) (Vachellia xanthophloea) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Eastern and southern Africa (Kenya to KwaZulu-Natal), in swamps, riverbanks and lake shores. It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 8–14 m (26–46 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
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Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–14 m (26–46 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern and southern Africa (Kenya to KwaZulu-Natal), in swamps, riverbanks and lake shores |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; long, paired white thorns.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia)
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia)
- How far apart should I plant Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–14 m (26–46 ft).
- Does Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; long, paired white thorns.
- What grows well with Fever tree (yellow-barked acacia)?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Nairobi
Notes and assumptions
- Smooth, powdery, lime-green-yellow bark makes it one of the most striking garden trees of Africa; fast-growing and frost-tolerant once established. The name comes from 19th-century travellers who caught malaria where it grows: the swamps bred the mosquitoes, not the tree. Kipling’s "fever trees" by the Limpopo.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis