Acacia lahai
Benth.
Red thorn
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Nathan Rider, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) David Bygott, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Odile Weber, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
Edible Uses
Gum from the tree is eaten.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It is resistant to drought and grows in stony and rocky sites. It occurs between 1,200-1,650 m above sea level and can be higher. It grows where the average temperature is 21°-40°C and the mean annual rainfall is 250-750 mm. It grows on neutral or alkaline soils that are well-drained.
Where It Grows
Africa, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Niger, Nigeria, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Uganda,
Cultivation
Plants are grown from seeds. It can be managed by lopping.
Production
It grows quickly.
Notes
Also as Mimosaceae.
Also Known As
Ematso, Kaimet, Lehai
References (2)
- Katende, A.B., Birnie, A & Tengnas B., 1995, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Uganda. Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Technical handbook No 10. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. p 48
- www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/products/afdbases/af
