Gum Arabic, Gum Acacia

Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile

ah-CASE-ee-ah nile-OT-eh-ca

Legumes

Explanation of name:  The genus name comes from Greek akis for a sharp point, presumably in reference to the sharp thorns.  The specific epithet refers to the Nile River.

Natural range:  Africa to Asia

Recognition:  Small thorny tree or shrub having bipinnate (twice compound) leaves, long sharp thorns, and yellow flowers in a powderpuff.  Similar to Sweet Acacia (Acacia farnesiana) but with a different fruit.  The fruit on Acacia nilotica resembles beads on a string, narrowing sharply between each seed (similar to the pod on Sophora tomentosa, Necklace Pod).  The fruit on Acacia farnesiana is lumpy but not deeply constricted between the seeds.  Acacia nilotica has leaflets 3 mm wide as opposed to < 2 mm wide in A. farnesiana.

Landscape uses:  A tough species from arid habitats drought tolerant and thriving on poor sandy soil.  As an invasive exotic, this species is not recommended for Florida.  It has taken on severe invasive exotic status in diverse hot dry regions, and is regarded as a threat in Florida.

Notes: This species is the commercial source of gum arabic, and has numerous uses in foraging and traditional medicines.

Internet sources:  http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/acaci006.html

http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Acacia_nilotica.htm