Vachellia seyal
| red acacia | |
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| Species: | A. seyal
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| Binomial name | |
| Acacia seyal | |
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Acacia seyal, the Red acacia, known also as the shittah tree (the source of shittim wood), is a thorny, 6–10 m (20–30 ft) high tree with a pale greenish or reddish bark. At the base of the 3–10 cm (1–4 in) feathery leaves there are two straight, light grey thorns, growing to 7–20 cm (3–8 in) long. The blossoms are displayed in round, bright yellow clusters approximately in 1.5 cm (0.5 in) diameter.
In Acacia seyal var. fistula, which is more common on heavy clay soils, some of the thorns are swollen and house symbiotic ants.[2]
It is distributed from Sudan to Kenya and west Senegal. In the Sahara, it often grows in damp valleys.
Uses
Gum arabic
Acacia seyal is, along with other acacias, an important source for gum arabic, a natural polysaccharide, that exudes from damaged stems and solidifies.[3]
Tanning
Parts of the tree have a tannin content of up to 18-20%. The bark and seed pods of Acacia seyal sensu lato var. seyal have a tannin content of about 20%.[4]
Wood
Wood from the tree is said to have been used in Ancient Egypt to make coffins and also the Ark of the Covenant.[5]
Medicinal uses
Bark
The bark is used to treat dysentery and bacterial infections of the skin, such as leprosy. The bark is also used as a stimulant.[3]
Gum
The gum is used as an aphrodisiac, to treat diarrhoea, as an emollient, to treat hemorrhaging, inflammation of the eye, intestinal ailments and rhinitis. The gum is used to ward off arthritis and bronchitis.[3]
Wood
Incense from the wood is used to treat pain from rheumatism and to keep expectant mothers from contracting rhinitis and fevers.[3]
Botanical varieties
- Acacia seyal Del. var. fistula (Schweinf.) Oliver[6]
- Acacia seyal sensu lato var. seyal[4]
Acacia seyal occasionally hybridizes with A. xanthophloea.
References
- ^ ILDIS LegumeWeb
- ^
Young, T.P. (1996). "Ants on swollen-thorn acacias: species coexistence in a simple system". Oecologia. 109 (1): 98–107. doi:10.1007/s004420050063. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b c d Purdue University
- ^ a b FAO
- ^ Acacia seyal in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
- ^ ILDIS
- Acacia seyal in West African plants – A Photo Guide.
- Arbonnier, M. Arbres, arbustes et the lianes zones seches d'Afrique de l'Ouest. CIRAD. Montpellier, 2000 ISBN 2-87614-431-X