Scented thorn
Acacia nilotica subsp. kraussiana

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 is resistant to drought and frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall above 100 mm. It grows between 5-1,830 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Iraq, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Oman, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The gum from the bark is edible. It is used for sweets. The soft inner bark is used to curdle milk. The roasted pods are used for flavouring.

Edible parts

Gum, pods - flavouring

How it is grown

Seeds are removed from dry pods. These are placed in hot water then left overnight to soak then planted. They germinate in 7-15 days. The plant can be cut back and will re-grow.

It grows at a moderately fast rate. It can grow 70 cm a year.

Its other names

Local names

Changuta, Inshagu, Inshakwe, Isanqawe, Lekkerruikpeul, Lugagane, M'sio, Miwa, Mokga, Motsha, Mubuyamhondoro, Muhunga, Muzunga, Nkoka, Scented pod thorn, Sitfetfe, Thalaa, Umlaladwayi, Umncawe

Synonyms

Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile var. kraussiana (Benth.) A. F. Hill; Acacia benthamiana Rochebr.; Acacia benthamii Rochebr.;