Sickle-pod splendid acacia
Acacia robusta subsp. clavigera

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 and subtropical plant. It can tolerate frost. It grows on alluvial soils. It grows between 15-915 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Indonesia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They germinate easily. They can be put into boiling water and allowed to cool to improve germination. Seedlings germinate in 6-10 days.

It grows quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Micaia, Mungua, Narrow-pod robust thorn, N'gololo, Umgamanzi, Umhlabunga

Synonyms

Acacia clavigera E. Mey; Acacia clavigera subsp clavigera;