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:

General Information

Vachellia campeachiana is a deciduous, vase-shaped shrub or a small tree with many straight branches and spines 15 - 50mm long; theplant usually grows around 1.5 - 10 metres tall[, ],
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is an excellent pioneer plant and has potential for use in phytoremediation projects.
Vachellia campeachiana is a natural pioneer within its native range, but the plant can become an invasive weed elsewhere[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

C. America - Honduras; Caribbean - Cuba; Southern N. America - central and southern Mexico

Habitat

Slopes, valleys, plains, arroyos, and disturbed habitats; thornscrub, tropical deciduous forest, margins of Sonoran desertscrub, and /occasionally in grassland; at elevations from sea leve, usuallyl to around 975metres, occasionally to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	4.00 m
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

The seeds are roasted, ground into a powder and eaten in the form of atole (a traditional corn-based hot beverage), or the dried seeds can be ground into a flour and made into tortillas[].(As Acacia cymbispina)
The dark red-brown seedpods are 75 - 170mm long and 8 - 11mm wide with a pulpy mesocarp[[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the plant is used as a remedy for affections of the bladder[]. (As Acacia cochliacantha)
A decoction of the roots is used as a treatment for stomach complaints[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species quickly colonizes abandoned milpas and other disturbed areas including bufflegrass pastures in tropical deciduous forest, often forming impenetrable spiny thickets[]. This behaviour makes it an excellent pioneer species within its native range, but a potential invasive plant elsewhere[].
Vachellia campeachiana naturally invades land polluted by heavy metal waste from mining activities and often becomes the dominant species on the site. The plant is able to bioaccumulate non-essential metals in its roots and leaves, and has a high rate of HMs translocation. These qualities make it an excellent candidate for use in phytoremediation projects, especially on soils contaminated with lead, chromium and copper[]..

Other Uses

The branches are sometimes used when making violin bows[].

Propagation

Seed - the hard coat needs to be scarified in order to allow water to enter. It should then be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing[]. Seed germinates best at a temperature around 21°c[]. Germination rates, even of scarified seed, tends to be quite low, with the seeds sprouting within 30 - 50 days[]. Plants make a deep taproot and resent root disturbance, they should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
Semi-ripe cuttings of lateral shoots[].

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