Vachellia nilotica subsp. nilotica

Vachellia nilotica subsp. nilotica (commonly known as Egyptian thorn, prickly acacia, scented thorn or scented-pod acacia[3]) is a perennial tree native to Africa. It has also been introduced to the Indian Ocean area and to the Middle East.[2]

Vachellia nilotica subsp. nilotica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Clade: Mimosoideae
Genus: Vachellia
Species:
V. nilotica

(L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb.[1]
Subspecies:
V. n. subsp. nilotica
Trinomial name
Vachellia nilotica subsp. nilotica
Synonyms[2]
  • Acacia nilotica subsp. nilotica (L.) Delile
  • Acacia vera Willd.

Uses

Fodder

The leaves contain 14-20% protein.[4]

Food

The young seed pods and young foliage are edible. The raw or dried seeds are eaten when food is scarce.[4]

Medicine

The bark is used to treat cough by the African Zulu.[4]

Tannin

The seed pods of V. nilotica subsp. nilotica have a tannin content of about 25–33.8%. The pods without seeds have a tannin content of about 50%.[5]

Wood

The sapwood produces 4500kcal/kg when burned as firewood.[4] The tree's heartwood has a density of about 0.80 g/cm³.[6]

References
  1. Kyalangalilwa B, Boatwright JS, Daru BH, Maurin O, van der Bank M (2013). "Phylogenetic position and revised classification of Acacia s.l. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in Africa, including new combinations in Vachellia and Senegalia". Bot J Linn Soc. 172 (4): 500–523. doi:10.1111/boj.12047.
  2. ILDIS LegumeWeb
  3. "Acacia nilotica subsp nilotica". AgroForestryTree Database. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  4. World AgroForestry
  5. FAO
  6. FAO


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