African thorn acacia, Fever tree
Vachellia xanthophloea

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The bark is smooth and powdery. The throns are straight and white in pairs and 10 cm long. The leaves have spines. The flowers are yellow and in round heads. The fruit are yellow brown pods. They are 13 cm long and flat. They are slightly constricted between the seeds and break into segments.

There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 40-2,100 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Djibouti, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They have a reasonable germination rate. Seed that have been stored should be soaked in water for 24 hours.

It grows quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Aari, Fever tree, Fever-tree thorn, Honywam, Jelenga, Kimwea, Koorsboom, Murera, Mussucatchuma, Narmo, Olerai

Synonyms

Acacia xanthophloea Benth.;