Vachellia hockii

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-4 m high. It can be 8 m high. The crown is open. The bark is a greenish-yellow and peels off. It has thorns that are straight and in pairs. The leaves are twice divided. The flowers are in yellow or orange heads. The fruit are reddish brown pods.

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. In Africa it grows from sea level to 2,400 m altitude. It is often on poor soils and rocky grasslands. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 650-900 mm. It can grow in arid places. It grows in moist savannah.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The inner bark is sweet and is chewed. The gum is also eaten when fresh.

The bark is chewed especially by children.

Edible parts

Bark, gum, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds should be put into hot water and then allowed to cool for 12 hours before planting. Seeds can be stored if kept cool and dry.

Plants are slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Arumbe, Chanchana, Chaqenti, Chehchehta, Checheha, Chuwan, Cibombo, Dabbasoo, Ekisim, Enchapalani, Kinyua, Lanqey, Mugaa, Munyua, Oriang, Titatil, Tmbbgga, Umugeenge

Synonyms

Acacia chariensis A. Chev.; Acacia hockii De Wild.; Acacia seyal Del. var. multijuga Baker f.; Acacia oerfota Brenan; Acacia holstii Taub.; and others