Vachellia bellula

Vachellia bellula
Preserved specimen of Vachellia bellula, consisting of a plant with long stems, green leaves and small orange-ish flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Vachellia
Species:
V. bellula
Binomial name
Vachellia bellula
(Drake) Boatwr.
Synonyms
  • Acacia bellula Drake

Vachellia bellula is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is a shrub or tree native to Madagascar. The species was described in 1897, and is listed as of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Taxonomy

The species was described by Emmanuel Drake del Castillo in 1897, and placed in the genus Acacia. In 2015, James S. Boatwright moved it to the genus Vachellia. Vachellia bellula is a sister species to Vachellia reficiens.

Distribution

Vachellia bellula is native to the seasonally dry tropical biome of west and south Madagascar. Its extent of occurrence is around 265,644 square kilometres (102,566 sq mi). The species is present at elevations of 10–800 metres (33–2,625 ft).

Description

Vachellia bellula is a shrub or tree. It grows up to 11 metres (36 ft) high.

Conservation

In 2018, the IUCN assessed Vachellia bellula as of least Concern. The species is experiencing habitat loss due to agriculture, mining, logging, and fire. It is present in five protected areas - Andranomena Special Reserve, Ankarafantsika National Park, Berenty Reserve, Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, and Tsinjoriake Reserve.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ramanantsialonina, R.N. (2019). "Vachellia bellula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T128098750A128114957. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T128098750A128114957.en. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Vachellia bellula". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  3. ↑ Boatwright, James S.; Maurin, Olivier; van der Bank, Michelle (13 September 2015). "Phylogenetic position of Madagascan species of Acacia s.l. and new combinations in Senegalia and Vachellia (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae, Acacieae)". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 179 (2): 290–293. doi:10.1111/boj.12320. Retrieved 9 October 2026.