Native to West Africa, the sickle pod tree is considered to be a weed in many areas around the world. However, here in our harsh environment, it acts as an exotic, decorative tree. It is cold hardy, drought tolerant, fire resistant, fast growing, and has some of the strangest flowers on campus. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it improves nitrogen concentrations in the soil. In the wild, it is most often bat pollinated, but can also be pollinated by insects. This tree only grows 6-10 ft tall. It has feathery, bi-pinnate leaves and notable thorns. It also has a wide range of medicinal uses, from curing stomach ulcers to a snake venom antidote. If you’d like to see it on campus, check the southeast corner of Social Sciences.
