Blade thorn, Sand-veld acacia
Senegalia fleckii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

It is a shrub. Often is has several stems. It loses many of its leaves during the year. It grows up to about 2.5-6 m tall. The bark on the trunk can peel off in papery pieces. The thorns are hooked and sharp. They occur in pairs. The thorns have a swollen base. The leaves are 5-8 cm long. They have flat raised gland at the base of the leaf. The leaves have 6-14 pairs of side branches and about 10-30 pairs of leaflets. These are hairy. The leaflets are fine and grey. The flowers are pale yellow and in spikes about 8 cm long. The pods are flat and papery. They are grey or brown and about 9 cm long. They have many glands which look like red spots.

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 often forms thickets on sandy soil. It grows on sand dunes. It is drought resistant. It can tolerate some frost. It grows between 400-1,450 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The gum can be eaten.

Probably minor.

Edible parts

Gum, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds germinate fairly easily in 5-15 days.

Its other names

Local names

Bladdoring, Kane, Mhahu, Mohahu, Mofafu, Mwalala, Sand-veld acacia

Synonyms

Acacia cinerea Schinz.;