Senegalia polyacantha

Senegalia polyacantha
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Clade:	Mimosoid clade
Genus:	Senegalia
Species:	S. polyacantha
Binomial name
	Senegalia polyacantha; (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
Subspecies
	Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha (Hochst. ex. A.Rich.) Kyal. & Boatwr.; Senegalia polyacantha subsp. polyacantha (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger;
Synonyms
	Acacia catechu sensu Griseb.; Acacia catechu auct. non L.; Acacia polyacantha Willd.; Acacia suma (Roxb.) Voigt; Gagnebina tamariscina sensu Bojer; Mimosa suma Roxb.; Senegalia suma (Roxb.) Britton & Rose;

Senegalia polyacantha, also known as white thorn, is a flowering tree which can grow up to 25m tall. Polyacantha has the meaning "many thorns" in Latin.^[2] The tree is native to Africa, India, the Indian Ocean and Asia, but it has also been introduced to the Caribbean.^[1]

Uses

Repellent uses

The root of Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha emits chemical compounds that repel animals including rats, snakes and crocodiles.^[2]

Gum

The tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.^[2]

Medicinal purposes

Senegalia polycantha's roots and perhaps its bark have medicinal uses. The root extract is useful for snakebites^[2] and is applied to wash the skin of children who are agitated at night time.^[2] The root is also used for treating gonorrhea,^[3] venereal diseases,^[4] dysentery^[4] and gastrointestinal disorders.^[4]