Vachellia bussei
(Harms ex Y. Sjostedt) Kyal. & Boatwr.
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Leoš Smutný a Antonín Horáček, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Leoš Smutný a Antonín Horáček, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Franklin Charles Graham IV, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A small tree. It grows 4-10 m tall. The crown is flattened. It has spines. There are 2-8 pairs of pinnae with 10-18 pairs of leaflets. They are hairy. The flowers are yellow and in 2-6 cm long spikes. The pods are narrow and oblong. They are 8 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The seeds are flattened and 5 mm long by 4 mm wide.
Edible Uses
The seeds are cooked and ground into a powder. The gum and bark (as tea) are also edible, along with the thorns.
Traditional Uses
The seeds are cooked and ground into a powder.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc. Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids.
Known Hazards
Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows between 50-1,500 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somali, Tanzania,
Cultivation
Requires a sunny position. It can be found on a wide range of soils from red sands to black cotton (clay) as well as on limestone outcrops. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation
The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them.
Other Uses
A fibre obtained from the bark and root bark is used for making rope. The root bark fibres are also used for making storage sacks and string-hanging doors. The wood makes a good fuel and an excellent charcoal.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Galool
References (3)
- Ferns, Useful tropical Plants
- Mutie, F. M., et al, 2023, Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches. Plants 2023, 12, 1145
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
