Leguminosae-mim Acacia bussei Harms ex Sjostedt

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Keywords in this picture :

• Foliage
• Gland
• Node
• Stipule
• Flower
• Fruit
• Habit
• Lamina leaf blade
• Leaflet
• Seed
• Thorn
• Vegetative
• Spines prickles etc
• Fruit details
• Leaf parts
• Stem
• Inflorescence
• Flower part
• Leaf blade glands etc
• Flower & fruit
• Glands (large types)
• Flower bud
• Leaf
• Parts of compound lvs
• Plant parts

Species information

Interest
This species is the main source of charcoal in Somalia, particularly from the Bay region. The nomadic Somali use the stem for the central pole, roots for the hoops, bark for the covering mats and chewed inner bark for thread to stitch them when constructing their huts. Branches are cut for axe annd hoe handles. Roots used for revesting wells because of resistence to rot and termites, and also used for wattle and daub walls. Root fibres used to make wide mesh baskets to protect large water or milk vessels. It is also used for building poles and tool handles there (Bird & Shepherd 1992). Both in Ethiopia and Somalia, the species is widely browsed by cattle, sheep and goats. The flowers appear before the leaves and form an important part of the camels diet.The bark contains 17-21% tannin, used for tanning the skins used for carrying water. (Wickens et al. 1995). In Somalia bark and root bark fibre is used for making rope, roots for making storage sacks for sorghum and string hanging doors and even young thorns are said to be eaten for food.

Other Notes
Common names: Kenya: Dolle (Boran), Galol (Somali), Halo (Boran), Kiunga (Kikamba); Somalia: Galol (Somali), Galool (Somali), Giri (Somali), Sarman (Somali); Tanzania: Mgunga (Kifaru). Species characteristics : Tree 3 - 10 m tall with a flattened crown. Its whitish thorns are distinctive in that some are usually swollen basally but constricted where they are attached to the stem. Widespread in the Acacia Commiphora bushland of lower altitudes this species can dominate large woodlands. Grows in woodland and busland on on a wide range of soils from red sands to black cotton (clay) as well as on limestone outcrops. Used for a wide variety of uses as well as fodder. Makes an excellent charcoal and in Somalia is overexploited. Distribution: Ethiopia (Harerge, Sidamo, Bale); Kenya (Coast, Garissa, Kitui, Taita, Embu, Kwale, Moyale, Wajir, Kilifi, North-Eastern, Taita Taveta, Tana River); Somalia (Hiiraan, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sanaag, Bay, Bari, Woqooyi Galbeed, Gedo, Jubbada Dhexe, Togdheer); Tanzania (Tanga, Lushoto, Pare, Morogoro). Specimen total: 121 Degree squares: 40 Collection years: 1900-1990 Phenology : Flowering period: Jan(5), Feb(4), Mar(2), Apr(3), May(2), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(2), Sep(18), Oct(12), Nov(10); Fruiting period: Jan(6), Feb(5), Mar(4), Apr(1), May(3), Jun(3), Aug(1), Sep(1), Oct(2), Nov(4) Altitude range: 30-1800m

Specimen information

Collector
PS

Specimen Number
s.n.