Shittim wood, Whistling thorn
Vachellia seyal

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 3-12 m altitude. The bark is a distinctive powdery white to pale green or orange. It has thorns which occur in pairs. They are white and can be 8 cm long. The leaves are twice divided and there are 3-7 pairs of leaflets. The flowers occur in large numbers. They are yellow and in large round heads. These are about 1 cm across. The fruit are narrow curved pods. These are shiny and light brown. They are slightly constricted between the seeds. They are 7-20 cm long.

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 the lowlands and the highlands. It grows in the semi arid zones. It grows in the Sahel. It grows from 600-1,200 m altitude in Uganda. It grows between 20-2,200 m above sea level. It grows in hot arid areas. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-2,280 mm. It can grow in alkaline soils and possibly tolerate some salt. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa (country/location of origin), Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Gambia, Ghana, Himalayas, India, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The bark yields an edible gum. It is mixed with the pulp of Balanites aegyptiaca to form a syrup. The inner bark is chewed for its sweet taste.

300-600 t of gum are exported.

Edible parts

Gum, bark - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. If fresh seed are used they can just be sown. Dry seed needs to soaked in cold water for 24 hours. Seed can be stored for several years if kept cool, dry and free from insects. It can be used as a hedge.

It grows at a medium pace.

Its other names

Local names

Agagi, Ali, Ekaramai, Ekoromai, Ekoromoi, Epujaiit, Gum arabic tree, Katuka, Lalwilwi, Mgunga, Muiguiria, Mwera, Sade, Seyal acacia, Sittim wood, Takla, Talh, Thirsty-thorn, Wacu, Wajo, White-galled acacia, White whistling thorn, White thorn

Synonyms

Acacia fistula Schweinf.; Acacia flava var. seyal (Del.) Roberty; Acacia seyal De Wild.; Acacia seyal Delile; Acacia stenocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich; Acacia stenocarpa A. Rich.;