Vachellia gerrardii
(Benth.) P.J.H. Hunter
Red thorn, Grey-haired acacia
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) magdastlucia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) magdastlucia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) magdastlucia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A small tree. It grows up to 15 m tall. It has a flattened crown. The bark is rough and dark grey. It has very short thorns. They are in pairs. The leaves are divided twice. There are 5-12 pairs of larger leaflets and 12-18 pairs of small leaflets. The flowers are in round heads and are cream coloured. The fruit are brown pods. The pods are 22 cm long and slightly curved. The pods are about 2 cm across. They occur in clusters. There are 3 recognised varieties.
Edible Uses
Bark is used in soup. Gum is edible.
Traditional Uses
The bark is used in soup.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The bark is used in medicine.
Known Hazards
Because of the thorns, it should not be planted near homesteads.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows at 1,300-2,000 m altitude in Uganda. It can grow in arid and semi-arid areas.
Where It Grows
Africa, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Middle East, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Cultivation
It is grown from seeds. The seeds can be sown direct or in nurseries and transplanted. The seeds need to be treated by putting them in hot water then allowing it to cool and the seeds to soak for 24 hours before sowing.
Production
It grows quickly in there is sufficient groundwater.
Other Information
Probably minor.
Notes
There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. The bark of this one is used in medicine. Because of the thorns, it should not be planted near homesteads. Also as Mimosaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Eminit, Ikope, Isanqawe, Lusenene, Munyinya, Ol-debbei, Saie, Uhahla, Umuguunga
References (19)
- Al-Fatimi, M. A., 2021, Wild Edible Plants Traditionally Collected and Used in Southern Yemen. Research Square. (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Ballal, M. E., et al, 2014, Ethno-botany of Natural Forests of Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan State, Sudan. Journal of Forest Poducts & Industries. 3(1):13-19 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Dharani, N., 2002, Field Guide to common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa. Struik. p 28 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 32 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Glover et al, 1966b, (As Acacia gerrardii)
Show all 19 references Hide references
- Goode, P., 1989, Edible Plants of Uganda. FAO p 30 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Grivetti, L. E., 1980, Agricultural development: present and potential role of edible wild plants. Part 2: Sub-Saharan Africa, Report to the Department of State Agency for International Development. p 45 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 559 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 50 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- 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 44 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Mutie, F. G., 2020, Conservation of Wild Food Plants and Their Potential for Combatting Food Insecurity in Kenya as Exemplified by the Drylands of Kitui County. Plants 2020, 9, 1017 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- 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
- Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 238 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 126 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Swaziland's Flora Database http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora (As Acacia gerrardii)
- Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30:508. 1875 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- van Wyk, B, van Wyk, P, and van Wyk B., 2000, Photographic guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Briza. p 32 (As Acacia gerrardii)
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- www.zimbabweflora.co.zw 2011 (As Acacia gerrardii)
