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 pennata is a large, prickly, climbing shrub, able to clamber 20 metres or more into the surrounding vegetation. It attaches itself to other plants by means of spiny tendrils that are formed from modified branches[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is cultivated as a food crop in southeast Asia, the young stems being sold in local markets[]. The plant is sometimes grown to form a thorny hedge.
The plant can become a weed (subspecies insuavis)][Grin]

Known Hazards

In eastern Himalaya and north-eastern India, bark and pounded seeds are used as fish poison[].
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

E. Asia - southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia to NW Australia

Habitat

Forests, avoiding drier regions, chiefly along rivers and streams, and in ravines; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A very troublesome climber which should be cut whenever possible, as it climbs over the tallest trees, and its tough, wiry, strong, thorny branches damage them considerably[].
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

The tender leaves and young stems are used as vegetable[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of body pain, fevers and headaches[].
The leaf juice, combined with milk, is given to infants suffering from indigestion[, ].
The leaves are chewed with cumin and sugar to treat bleeding gums[, ].

A poultice made from the fresh seeds is used as applied to burns[].

The juice of the bark is used as an antidote in the treatment of snake poisoning[].
A paste made from the bark is applied topically to treat conditions such as scabies, cuts and wounds[].

The bark of all Acacia species contains greater or lesser quantities of tannins and are astringent. Astringents are often used medicinally - taken internally, for example. they are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, and can also be helpful in cases of internal bleeding. Applied externally, often as a wash, they are used to treat wounds and other skin problems, haemorrhoids, perspiring feet, some eye problems, as a mouth wash etc[, ].
Many Acacia trees also yield greater or lesser quantities of a gum from the trunk and stems. This is sometimes taken internally in the treatment of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Cultivated as hedge plant in India and SE Asia[]. The young shoots can be trimmed and applied direct to the ground as a green manure[].

Other Uses

The bark (containing 90% tannin) is used for tanning fishing nets in India (Mombai)[].

The juice of the seeds is rich in saponins and is used as a soap[].

The reddish-brown, porous wood is moderately hard[]. Though loose in texture, it is a rather nice wood, which, if carefully cut to show the silver-grain properly, would make pretty frames, boxes, and similar articles[].

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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