Acacia ehrenbergiana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

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.

There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae. This one has folk medicinal uses.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in desert regions. It grows in the Sahel and Sahara. It is highly resistant to drought. It can grow in areas with 50 mm of rain each years and up to 400 mm. It is often on stony soils or gravel. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Chad, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Niger, North Africa, Oman, Qatar, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Western Sahara, Yemen

How it is used for food

The gum is only occasionally used.

Edible parts

Gum, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Tamat

Synonyms

Acacia flava (Forsskal) Schweinf.;