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 ataxacantha is a spiny, multi-stemmed, woody plant that can be a scrambling shrub growing 3 - 5 metres tall; or can adopt a more climbing habit with stems up to 15 metres long that climb into the surrounding vegetation; or can sometimes become more tree-like, growing up to 10 metres tall with a bole 20 - 30cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials and medicines. It is often planted to form dense, impenetrable hedges.

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

Africa - drier areas from Mauritania to Sudan, Uganda and Kenya; south to Angola, Namibia to Mozambique and S. Africa.

Habitat

In drier areas, woodlands, wooded grassland, locally common on Kalahari and similar sands, sometimes in lowveld in riverine areas, forming thickets (Zimbabwe); riverine fringing vegetation; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Young plants are frost tender[].
Prefers a moist soil, but the plant is fairly drought resistant[].
Initial growth of newly transplanted seedlings is slow, but then increases[].
There are conflicting reports on whether or not this tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, so it is unclear as to whether this tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is used in traditional medicine to treat constipation and abdominal pains[].
The plant (part not specified) is used in traditional medicine to treat syphilis, boils, helminthiasis and wounds, headache, toothache, respiratory diseases[].

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:

An excellent and much used hedge plant. It forms an impenetrable and attractive screen and is commonly used for security purposes[].

Other Uses

The wood can be split into paper-like strips without cracking and these strips are commonly used as a weaving material for making baskets[].
The roots are also used in basketry, and have been traditionally used to make long-stem tobacco pipes[].

The bark is used for making strong ropes[, ].

The heartwood is deep red brown; it is demarcated from wide band of creamy sapwood. It is said to be resistant to decay owing to gum deposits. As the stems are generally quite thin, the wood is mostly used for small implements and tools[]. The long, straight shoots are used as walking sticks, bows, poles etc[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve 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. Germination of treated seeds should take place within 2 weeks[].
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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