Leguminosae-mim Acacia tortilis (Forssk.)Hayne

| |	© Chris W. Fagg

Keywords in this picture :

• Habit
• Vegetative
• Plant parts

Places where this species can be found :

• Tamale - Yendi road - NSBPGHANA
• Mole National Park - NSBPGHANA

Species information

Interest
Used in silvipastural systems, sand dune stabilisation and shelterbelts, as well as fuelwood, honey source, tannin, gums for medicine, cordage and constructional uses in nomadic societies. It is planted as an exotic in Rajasthan, India and Pakistan. In Africa, it is often the tree that extends furthest into the Sahara desert. It is one of the most important sources of fuelwood and good quality charcoal (calorific value 4400 kcal/kg) in the Sahelian regions. The wood of subsp. spirocarpa is a preferred for building and fence posts in Tanzania, it has been recorded for use in boat ribs, pulley blocks, shelves and kitchen furniture. A preferred fodder species in Tanzania, pods are eaten by all livestock and game. (Wickens et al. 1995). It is an important honey source, large barrel hives are often placed in the trees, such as in Baringo district, northern Kenya. Also produces gum, and green and dry pods are edible. The inner bark is an important tannin and fibre source in Tanzania, and in the Sahel and Somalia inner bark fibres are used for cordage. Its bark and roots are a source of yellow and brown dye. The long spines are used as needles in Tanzania, and the Mbeere use them also in circumcision ceremonies.

Other Notes
Species characteristics: Medium to large tree to 21 m tall, or sometimes a multistemmed shrub or bush, crown typically flattened and spreading, but sometimes rounded (ssp. raddiana) and more open. Has spirally twisted indehiscent pods, both hooked and long straight stipular spines, and whitish fragrant flowers in round inflorescences. The species is vary variable, seperated into six infraspecific taxa including four recognised subspecies on the basis of glands and hairs on the pods and young branchlets and crown shape. This species can dominate many savanna communities and provides an important source of browse for wild and domesticated animals. Found scattered on old sand dunes and rocky scarps, or in deciduous woodland on deep alluvial calcareous soils often indicating a higher water table or drainage lines. It can also occur on lateritic gravels, saline and sodic soils, and often colonises disturbed sites. Used in silvipastural systems, sand dune stabilisation and shelterbelts, as well as fuelwood, honey source, tannin, gums for medicine, cordage and constructional uses in nomadic societies. It is planted as an exotic in Rajasthan, India and Pakistan. In Africa, it is often the tree that extends furthest into the Sahara desert.

Specimen information

Collector
Fagg, C. W.

Specimen Number
002