Kirk's acacia, Flood plain thorn
Vachellia kirkii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A flat topped shrub or small tree. It grows 2-15 m high. It can have one or many stems. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is yellow to brown. It peels off showing green to yellow bark underneath. There are spines in pairs. They are 4-8 mm long. The leaves are made up of 6-14 pairs of larger leaflets and 7-20 pairs of small leaflets. These are narrow. The flowers are in heads and are yellow or white. The fruit are straight pods. They are 2-10 cm long by 0.8-2 cm wide. There are 2 seeds. There is a small point on the top.

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 woodland, grassland and lower hills. It is often in areas with seasonal drainage. It grows from 1,500-1,900 m altitude. It grows in areas with a rainfall above 100 mm per year. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The bark is used to make tea. It is also used to curdle milk. The gum or resin is edible.

Edible parts

Bark - tea, gum

How it is grown

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Its other names

Local names

Kimwea, Makota, Mnara, Msese, Olerai, Ol-lerai

Synonyms

Acacia kirkii Oliv.;