What is the English name for Acacia tortilis?

umbrella thorn acacia
Vachellia tortilis, widely known as Acacia tortilis but now attributed to the genus Vachellia, is the umbrella thorn acacia, also known as umbrella thorn and Israeli babool, a medium to large canopied tree native to most of Africa, primarily to the savanna and Sahel of Africa (especially the Somali peninsula and Sudan) …

What is the Acacia tortilis tree?

umbrella thorn
Acacia tortilis, often called the “umbrella thorn’ for its distinctive spreading crown, is one of the most widespread trees in seasonally dry areas of Africa and the Middle East.

What is the common name of Acacia tortilis?

Acacia tortilis (umbrella thorn)

What animals eat umbrella thorn acacia?

Young seedlings make a meal for various grazing animals on the African savannas and the fallen seed pods are favored by elephant, kudu, impala and rhinoceros. Elephants also eat the bark on mature trees while vervent monkeys, giraffes and baboons consume immature green seed pods dangling from branches.

What do Acacia trees do?

Gum acacia (Acacia senegal), native to the Sudan region in Africa, yields true gum arabic, a substance used in adhesives, pharmaceuticals, inks, confections, and other products. The bark of most acacias is rich in tannin, which is used in tanning and in dyes, inks, pharmaceuticals, and other products.

Is Acacia honey healthy?

Due to acacia honey’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it may help speed wound healing and prevent bacterial contamination and infection. Additionally, this honey helps maintain a moist environment while providing a protective barrier, both of which can aid wound healing.

What is so special about acacia trees?

Acacia Tree Facts The sturdy roots reach deep for underground water, which explains why the tree tolerates extreme drought conditions. Many types of acacia are protected by long, sharp thorns and an extremely unpleasant flavor that discourages animals from eating the leaves and bark.

How tall does an Acacia tortilis tree get?

Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne is a thorny legume tree, usually about 4-8 m high, but it can reach 20 m. The crown is dense, umbrella-like and flat-topped. Leaves are compound and the leaflets (6-22 pairs) are very small (1-4 mm long x 0.6-1 mm broad), glabrous to pubescent.

Where can I find an Acacia tortilis pod?

Acacia tortilis pods are also used as a famine food in eastern Africa. The umbrella thorn is native to arid and semi-arid areas of Africa and the Middle-East (Arabian Peninsula and Israel). It is found between 15 and 30°N and between sea level and an altitude of 1000 m ( Ecocrop, 2009 ).

How is Acacia tortilis used in erosion control?

Acacia tortilis is an N fixing species and thus a soil improver. It is used in erosion control since it is able to grow quickly and stabilize shifting sand dunes or hillslopes. It is used to make shelterbelts in India. It is also an afforestation species ( FAO, 1985 ).

When is the best time to harvest Acacia tortilis?

In Central Sudan, Acacia tortilis leaves were reported to be a valuable source of energy and protein if harvested in the early dry season or in the wet season and stored until needed. The Ca:P ratio should be improved by P supplementation ( Fadel Elseed et al., 2002 ).