Black-hooked thorn
Senegalia laeta

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. There are 2 curved black prickles. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 6 m high. The leaves are 4-8 mm long. The flowers are white or cream. They are in spikes 3-8 cm long. It is similar to Acacia senegal. The fruit are pods that are flat and light brown. They are 4-8 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. The seeds are 9-10 mm across.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a sub tropical plant. It grows in the Sahel. It grows in hot arid places. It grows in areas with a mean annual temperature between 21-40°C. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 250-800 mm. It grows in stony or rocky sites. It is very resistant to drought. It grows between 240-1,680 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Sahara, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds are best treated with hot water.

The gum is difficult to tap.

Its other names

Local names

Kenteb, Kitr achbash, Oiiti, Shubahi, Subahi

Synonyms

Acacia laeta R. Br. ex Benth.; Acacia trentiniani A. Chev.; Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. laeta (R. Br. ex Benth.) Roberty;