(Redirected from Acacia erythrocalyx)

There has to be considerable doubt upon the reliability of this name. It is based on an entry in 'Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel[] which refers to Acacia pennata (L.) Willd., and says that it is native from humid to semi-arid Africa - Acacia pennata, though, is native to eastern Asia and is not found in Africa. However, the entry in [] also refers to Acacia erythrocalyx as a synonym. Exploring this species (an African native but only in a restricted area of semi-arid west Africa) there is a report that it has often been confused with Acacia pennata, and also with Acacia brevispica and Acacia schweinfurthii[]. Acacia erythrocalyx is said to be distinctive by its red calyx. Photographs in [] are not conclusive, but probably portray a plant without a red calyx. I am leaving the record here simply because the uses mentioned are most likely to also apply to this species[].
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 Senegalia[].

Common Name:

General Information

Senegalia erythrocalyx is a very spiny, multi-stemmed shrub that can grow as little as 1 - 5 metres tall but can also adopt a more climbing habit with stems up to 10 metres long that can scramble into surrounding trees for support[, ].
The tree (if the preliminary identification is correct) has local uses as a medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

Especially in times of drought, many Acacia species can concentrate high levels of the toxin Hydrogen cyanide in their foliage, making them dangerous for herbivores to eat.

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - drier areas of Mali, Burkina, Niger and Nigeria.

Habitat

Dry rocky plains, woodland; forming thicket in grassland; open savannah woodland with Combretum, Croton, etc.; open woodland near streams; seasonally inundated grassy places with clay soils, on river banks; forest gallery; etc[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

None known

Medicinal

See nomenclature notes regarding the possible misplacing of these uses[].

The leaves are febrifuge[].
The leaf juice is used as an enema, for treating orchitis and to control herpes and blotch[].

The plant (parts not specified) has various other medicinal uses, including the treatment of rheumatism, dermatitis, chest complaints, stomach disorders, as an antidote for snake bites etc[].

Other Uses

See nomenclature notes regarding the possible misplacing of these uses[].

Small branches, with the bark removed, are used as chewing sticks and toothbrushes for maintaining the health of gums and teeth[].

The long branches are twisted and used as rope and in wickerwork[].

The bark contains tannins[]. Bark harvested for its tannins should only be taken from mature stems, and only when the sap is rising at the beginning of the growing season - which is when the tannin content is highest and the bark is most easily removed from the wood[].

Walking sticks are sometimes made from the straight stems[].

Propagation

The seed of most, if not all, members of this genus has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Acacia seeds that have matured fully on the bush and have been properly dried have a hard seed coat and can be stored in closed containers without deterioration for 5 - 10 years or more in dry conditions at ambient temperatures. It is best to remove the aril, which attracts weevils and can lead to moulds forming. The arils are easilyremoved by placing the seeds in water and rubbing them between the hands, then drying the seeds and winnowing them[].

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