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 macrostachya is a spiny, several-stemmed, woody plant that can be more shrub like and grow around 4 metres tall; or can adopt a more climbing habit; or can become more tree-like and sometimes as much as 15 metres tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood. It is sometimes grown as a thorny hedge for keeping out unwanted guests.

Known Hazards

Unlike many of the African species of Acacia (sensu lato), the seeds of this species are not toxic[].
The seed of many Acacia species, including this one, is edible and highly nutritious, and can be eaten safely as a fairly major part of the diet. Not all species are edible, however, and some can contain moderate levels of toxins[]. Especially when harvesting from the wild, especial care should be taken to ensure correct identification of any plants harvested for food[].
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 Senegal to Sudan.

Habitat

On hard-pan and gravelly soils; sometimes on sand or loamy soils (Niger); bushy scrub, wooded savannah on compact sand, and thickets in shallow soil on hard-pan (S Chad); sometimes forming thorny thickets[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Soil requirements are not specific, the plant is able to grow well on the poorest soils, on hardpans, clay, scree, detritus and debris[].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

A gum obtained from the stems is edible but of a poor quality[].

Seeds - cooked[]. Sometimes boiled and eaten as a vegetable[, ].

Medicinal

The young leaves are boiled and the liquid used in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders, as an anti-helminthic, and as an antidote to snake-bite[]. It is said that if a large quantity of the leaves are eaten after having being bitten by a snake, then they will inhibit the poison's dispersion in the blood[].

The bark and the roots are used medicinally[].

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:

The plant is used for making live hedgies - these can be impenetrable because of their spiny nature[].

Other Uses

The wood is used as fence posts[].
The wood can be used as fuel[].

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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