Blackthorn
Senegalia mellifera

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. The small branches are flexible. There are prickles in pairs. They are up to 7 mm long and curved. The leaves have 2-3 pairs of pinnae with 1-2 pairs of leaflets. The flower spike is 2-3 cm long. The flowers are creamy white. They have a scent. The fruit is a pod up to 8 cm long and 2-3 cm wide.

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. In east Africa it grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. It grows on loamy soils. It grows in areas with annual rainfalls between 40-800 mm. It can grow in arid places. It is drought tolerant. It grows in the Sahel.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, Chad, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The roots are used for flavouring and to curdle milk. The gum is eaten as a snack.

The gum is eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Pod, gum, leaves, nectar, root - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds can be sown direct or put in a nursery. Seeds germinate in 2-14 days. The seeds should be soaked in cold water for 12 hours or scratched to break the hard seed coat. Plants can be cut back and will re-grow.

Plants are slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Bilcil, Ebenyo, Kiffir, Magokwe, Mongana, Tikir

Synonyms

Acacia detinens Burch.; Acacia mellifera (Vahl) Benth.; Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. subsp. mellifera (Vahl) Roberty; Mimosa mellifera Vahl;