bullhorn acacia
Quick Summary
The bullhorn acacia is a type of tree from the genus Acacia, distinguished by its hollow thorns. A specific species, Acacia cornigera, is a large-thorned tree native to Central America. These thorns are notable because they are inhabited by ants.1
This plant engages in a mutualistic relationship with acacia ants (Pseudomyrmex ferruginea). The ants reside within the hollow thorns and consume nectar produced by the plant on its leaves and leaf stalks. In return, the ants aggressively defend the bullhorn acacia from herbivores and competing plants by attacking any animals or other vegetation that comes into contact with it. This relationship is considered obligate, meaning neither the plant nor the ants can survive successfully without the other.2
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