Umbrella thorn
Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 4-20 m high. It has spines. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves have 2-5 pairs of pinnae with 8-12 pairs of leaflets.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in alkaline soils. It is often in stony and sandy soils. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sahara.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Central Africa, Chad, Egypt, India, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The bark is eaten as a famine food.

Edible parts

Bark, fruit, seeds, gum

How it is grown

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

It grows quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Amrad, Dadach, Samr, Siyal, Talh, Telh

Synonyms

Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne var. pubescens A. Chev.; Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne var. lenticellosa Chiov.; Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne var. pubescens Aylmer; Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne f. raddiana (Savi) Roberty; Acacia fasciculata Guill. & Perr.; Acacia raddiana Savi;