Gum arabic tree, Egyptian mimosa
Acacia nilotica subsp. tomentosa

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. It grows in areas with annual rainfalls between 100-1,000 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, West Africa

How it is used for food

The young pods are cooked and eaten. The seeds are roasted and serve as a spice.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, pods

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd. var. tomentosa Benth.; Acacia nilotica (Lam.) Willd. var. tomentosa Benth.; Acacia scorpioides;