Senegalia polyacantha
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Clade: Mimosoid clade
Genus: Senegalia
Species:
S. polyacantha
Binomial name
Senegalia polyacantha
(Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
Subspecies
Synonyms[1]
  • 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.[2] The tree is native to Africa, India, the Indian Ocean and Asia, but it has also been introduced to the Caribbean.[1]

Uses

Repellent uses

The root of Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha emits chemical compounds that repel animals including rats, snakes and crocodiles.[2]

Gum

The tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.[2]

Medicinal purposes

Senegalia polycantha's roots and perhaps its bark have medicinal uses. The root extract is useful for snakebites[2] and is applied to wash the skin of children who are agitated at night time.[2] The root is also used for treating gonorrhea,[3] venereal diseases,[4] dysentery[4] and gastrointestinal disorders.[4]

Tannin

The bark is useful for tanning.[2]

Wood

The tree's primary use is for wood.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 ILDIS LegumeWeb(ILDIS)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 PlantZAfrica.com
  3. ↑ van der Maesen, L. J. G.; van der Burgt, X. M.; van Medenbach de Rooy, J. M. (1996). The Biodiversity of African Plants. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 254. ISBN 0792340957. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Uhlig, Siegbert (2003). Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: A-C. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 66. ISBN 3447047461. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  5. ↑ Speedy, Andrew. "Acacia polyacantha". www.fao.org. Retrieved 3 August 2017.


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