Barbary-Gum, Morocco-gum
Acacia gummifera
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.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It is often on shallow soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa
How it is used for food
The gum is sweet and partly soluble in water.
Edible parts
Gum
How it is grown
It grows slowly.
Its other names
Local names
Mogador acacia