Cha-om
Senegalia pennata subsp. insuavis

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. This one is a declared pest in Australia.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The young tips are eaten. They can be eaten raw or fast boiled. They are eaten with a spicy sauce. They are also cooked in an omelette. They are used for soup.

It is grown for edible leaves in some places in Thailand. It is a commonly used leafy vegetable in Thailand.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pak kha, Phu-zei-du, Vor em

Synonyms

Acacia insuavis Lace;