Boat-spine acacia
Acacia cochliacantha

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 tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

The young seeds can be eaten fresh. The seeds are also ground into powder and used for tortillas.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds are soaked in boiling water that is then allowed to cool and the are soaked for another 24-48 hours. Seedlings can be transplanted from the nursery after 4 months.

Its other names

Local names

Cubata

Synonyms

Acacia cochliacantha S. Watson; Acacia cymbacantha Benth.; Acacia cymbispina Sprague & Riley; Acacia milleriana Standley; Mimosa campechiana Miller; Mimosa cochliacantha Poiret; Poponax campechiana (Miller) Britton & Rose; Poponax houghii Britton & Rose;