Apple ring acacia
Acacia albida

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.

The seeds are 29% protein. Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Sahel. It can grow with rainfalls between 300 mm to 1,800 mm. It can survive long dry periods. It grows well in the semi-arid zones. It has a deep taproot that needs to reach ground water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Botswana, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Israel, Lebanon, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Namibia, Niger, North Africa, Sahel, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Syria, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The gum is edible and is also used for sweets. The seeds can be eaten. The pods are used as seasoning.

Seeds are a famine food.

Edible parts

Gum, pods - starch, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Although fresh seeds will grow, it is best to put seeds in boiling water to 5 minutes then allowing it to cool. It is best to sow seeds where they are to grow.

Its other names

Local names

Anaboom, Anas, Apiesodring, Camel thorn, Gamo gofa, Garabi, Garbi, Mmolela, Mokhabo, Munga, Mutungabayeni, Muunga, Umpumbu, Umtungabayeni, White thorn, Winter thorn

Synonyms

Acacia gyrocarpa Hochst.; Acacia leucocephala; Acacia saccharata Benth.; Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev.;