Acacia senegal

Gum Arabic Tree

File:Koeh-004.jpg

Scientific classification
| Kingdom:  | Plantae

|

Division:  | Magnoliophyta

Class:  | Magnoliopsida

Order:  | Fabales

Family:  | Fabaceae

Subfamily:  | Mimosoideae

Genus:  | Acacia

Species:  | A. senegal

Binomial name
Acacia senegal
((L.) Willd.)

Acacia senegal is a small deciduous acacia tree known by the common names Rudraksha, Gum Acacia, Gum Arabic Tree, or Gum Senegal Tree. It is native to semi-desert regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Oman, Pakistan, and northwestern India. It grows to a height of 5-12m, with a trunk up to 30cm in diameter.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Uses
* 1.1 Forage
* 1.2 Food
* 1.3 Gum arabic
* 1.4 Medicinal uses
* 1.5 Rope
* 1.6 Wood
* 2 Botanical variations
* 3 References
* 3.1 Notes
* 3.2 General references
* 4 External links

## Uses

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### Forage

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New foliage is very useful as forage.[2] Cabo Verde terra querida.

### Food

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Dried seeds are used as food by humans.[2]

### Gum arabic

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It produces gum arabic, which is used as a food additive, in crafts, and as a cosmetic. The gum is drained from cuts in the bark, and an individual tree will yield 200 to 300 grams. Seventy percent of the world's gum arabic is produced in Sudan.

File:Acacia senegal Taub68.pngAcacia senegal

### Medicinal uses

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The gum is used for soothing mucous membranes of the intestine and to treat inflammed skin. It is also reportedly used as for its astringent properties, to treat bleeding, bronchitis, diarrhea, gonorrhea, leprosy, typhoid fever and upper respiratory tract infections.[2]

### Rope

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Roots near the surface of the ground are quite useful in making all kinds of very strong ropes and cords. The tree bark is also used to make rope[2]

### Wood

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Handles for tools, parts for weaving looms.[2]

## Botanical variations

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* Acacia senegal var. leiorhachis Brenan[3]
* Acacia senegal var. rostrata Brenan[3]
* Acacia senegal var. senegal[3]

## References

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### Notes

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1. ↑ World Agroforestry Centre
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Purdue University
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 FAO

### General references

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Van Wyk, Ben-Erik (2005). Food Plants of the World. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 0-88192-743-0

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## External links

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Acacia senegal Photos (Google Images)

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de:Verek-Akazie et:Kummiakaatsia