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Acacia polyacantha

Senegalia polyacantha
Acacia polyacantha, habitus, Walter Sisulu NBT.jpg
Acacia polycantha.png
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
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. The tree is native to Africa, India, the Indian Ocean and Asia, but it has also been introduced to the Caribbean.

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

The tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.

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

The bark is useful for tanning.

The tree's primary use is for wood.



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