(Redirected from Acacia erioloba)

Classification of the genus Acacia (in the wider sense) has been subject to considerable debate. It is generally agreed that there are valid reasons for breaking it up into several distinct genera, but there has been disagreement over the way this should be done. As of 2017, it is widely (but not completely) accepted that the section that includes the majority of the Australian species should retain the name Acacia, whilst other sections of the genus should be transferred to other genera. This species is transferred to Vachellia[].

Common Name: Camel Thorn

General Information

Camel thorn is a large, spreading, spiny, evergreen tree that normally grows about 10 metres tall. In favoured habitats, however, this species can form large spreading trees up to 18 metres high, though in poorer conditions it can be a shrub no more than 2 metres tall[].
The plant has a wide range of uses including providing an edible gum, being the source of a good quality wood and being used in planting schemes to stabilize sandy soils. A beautiful tree that is suitable for planting in amenity areas, it is often used to provide shade in the desert areas where it grows[].

Known Hazards

The prussic acid that is sometimes present in the pods and foliage may poison animals[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern Africa - Angola to Mozambique, south to South Africa.

Habitat

Generally on Kalahari Sand, in dry woodland, wooded grassland, and sometimes in Baikiaea-Acacia forest at elevations of 900 - 1,050 metres[]. The dominant tree on the desert plains, often occurring in beds or on the banks of rivers[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Camel thorn grows in tropical and subtropical areas at elevations of 200 - 1,200 metres[]. Tolerant of some frost, it grows best in areas with a mean annual temperature in the range 12 - 29c and a mean annual rainfall of 250 - 1,000mm[].
Prefers a well-drained, sandy, acidic soil[]. Young plants require large amounts of light[]. Established plants are drought resistant[]. A very deep-rooting plant - some plants have been reported with roots descending to a depth of 45 metres in a borehole in SW. Africa[].
This species is valued throughout its range for its products and services and is rarely the subject of eradication measures[].
This species hybridizes in the wild with Vachellia haematoxylon, and the resulting progeny looks extremely similar to Vachellia erioloba but has glands on the pods typical of Vachellia haematoxylon[].
Trees usually flower when about 10 years old, and by 20 years they can produce regular crops of large pods[].
Natural and artificial regeneration from seed is poor, even after presowing treatment, but the trees coppice and sucker fairly readily[]. Fire causes young trees to coppice[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

A good quality, edible gum is obtained from the stem[, , , ].

The roasted seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee[, , , ].

Medicinal

The gum obtained from the tree is used as a cure for gonorrhoea[, ].

The bark is burned, crushed and then used for relieving headache[, ].

The pods are ground into a powder to treat ear infections[, ].

The roots are used as a cough remedy and to treat tuberculosis[, ]. The fresh fine roots are chewed to relieve strong pain anywhere in the body, including toothache, or are taken to combat severe diseases[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree has a deep, spreading root system and has been planted to help in the stabilization of sand dune and combat soil erosion[].
The flowers are a good source of nectar for honeybees[].

Other Uses

Tannins are obtained from the bark[, ].

A gum, called 'Cape Gum', is obtained from the trunk[]. Of good quality, it is sometimes traded[].

The roots (the bark is separated from the root) are used as a substitute for reeds to make flutes[, ].

The dark brown, shiny seeds are a popular element in traditional necklaces[].

The fibrous inner bark can be used to make excellent rope[].

The dark, red-brown wood is extremely hard, strong and durable with a dark purple heartwood[, , ]. It is resistant to borers and termites, and has been used for poles, especially for the centre posts for houses, mine props, wagon building, utensils and even machine bearings (though the machinery needs to be kept well oiled)[, ]. It is used for the construction of enclosures in southern Africa[].
The tree is a source of firewood for much of the arid Kalahari region in southern Africa[]. It exudes a characteristic, cinnamon-like smell as it burns[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water prior to sowing. Scarification can also help to improve germination rates. Germination rates are often poor for this species, but they can be improved by planting seeds (together with the dung) that have passed through the guts of grazing animals[]. This is because bruchid larvae that normally infest seeds are usually killed during their passage through the gut of a herbivore[]. It is best to sow the seeds singly in containers and transplanted the seedlings as quickly as possible since the taproot develops rapidly[]. Seedlings should be planted out when 46 cm or more in height and should be watered for the first few months, after which they become drought resistant[].
Seeds retain their viability for many years even at room temperature. Bruchid larvae within the seed continue to be active after the seed has been extracted and stored. The adults or larvae of some species emerge and may even re-enter the exit holes to lay eggs or to produce a 2nd generation of larvae that feed on the seed. Storage at temperatures near freezing point reduces bruchid beetle activity, and subzero temperatures of -20-30 deg. C may kill the larvae without damaging the seed[].

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