Vachellia is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae, commonly known as thorn trees or acacias. It belongs to the subfamily Mimosoideae. Its species were considered members of genus Acacia until 2009. Vachellia can be distinguished from other acacias by its capitate inflorescences and spinescent stipules. Before discovery of the New World, Europeans in the Mediterranean region were familiar with several species of Vachellia, which they knew as sources of medicine, and had names for them that they inherited from the Greeks and Romans. The wide-ranging genus occurs in a variety of open, tropical to subtropical habitats, and is locally dominant. In parts of Africa, Vachellia species are shaped progressively by grazing animals of increasing size and height, such as gazelle, gerenuk and giraffe. The genus in Africa has thus developed thorns in defence against such herbivory. The members of Vachellia are trees or shrubs, sometimes climbing, and are always armed. Of the 163 species currently assigned to Vachellia, 52 are native to the Americas, 83 to Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands, 32 to Asia and 9 to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Vachellia caven is an evergreen, spiny shrub or small tree with a sparse, wide, rounded crown that can grow 3 to 7 metres tall. It is native to South America and is found growing in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The deep yellow flowers are borne in abundance during spring with the sweet fragrance filling the air and attracting bees. It is grown for its ornamental value and can make an attractive hedge. It is well suited for use in the art of bonsai. The seeds can be toasted and used a coffee replacement, having digestive and stimulating effect. The cooked bark, applied as a poultice, can heal sores and wounds. Although only a small tree, it is fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing and a natural pioneer species used for restoring native woodland.