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Useful Tropical Plants

Vachellia hebeclada

(DC.) Kyal. & Boatwr.

Fabaceae


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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Acacia hebeclada DC.

Acacia stolonifera Burch.

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Vachellia hebeclada has two distinct forms. The subspecies hebeclada is a small shrub growing up to 1.5 metres tall, whilst the subspecies chobiensis is a large, thicket-forming shrub or small tree growing up to 3 metres. Both forms branch from the ground, and occasionally form underground stolons[
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of medicines and materials.

Known Hazards

The leaves of this species can develop high levels of hydrogen cyanide in times of drought[
1296
Title
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta; Medicinal Uses and Nutritional Value
Publication
The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1
Author
Roodt V.
Publisher
Shell Oil Botswana (Pty) Ltd; Gaborone, Botswana
Year
1998
ISBN
99912-0-241-2
Description
A concise guide to some of the trees and shrubs of Botswana, often giving some of the plant's uses.
].

Botanical References


Range

Southern Africa - southern Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, S. Africa.

Habitat

Calcium-rich Kalahari sand, usually on clayey deposits in dune slacks, associated with Pleistocene dune fields, often gregarious, forming small low thickets, at elevations from 950 - 1,050 metres[
328
Title
African Flowering Plants Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php
Publisher
Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques.
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitShrub
Height2.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details



The plant has a deep root system, there are records of a plant with roots that penetrated more than 35 metres into the soil[
1296
Title
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta; Medicinal Uses and Nutritional Value
Publication
The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1
Author
Roodt V.
Publisher
Shell Oil Botswana (Pty) Ltd; Gaborone, Botswana
Year
1998
ISBN
99912-0-241-2
Description
A concise guide to some of the trees and shrubs of Botswana, often giving some of the plant's uses.
].
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[
755
Title
Nodulation Plants in GRIN Taxonomy
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxnodul.pl?language=en
Publisher
United States Department of Agriculture
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An online database listing plants that have either positive or negative reports on root and stem nodulation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots, with the outer layer removed, are commonly used within the plant's native range. They are a strong remedy for treating chest pain and persistent coughing[
775
Title
Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle
Publication
 
Author
Leffers A.
Publisher
Gamsberg MacMillan; Namibia.
Year
2003
ISBN
99916-0-491-X
Description
Details of the traditional uses of over 200 species of plants in northeastern Namibia. Written for the non-expert, there is usually at least one photograph with each plant entry.
]. The roots are used as a remedy for diarrhoea[
393
Title
Flora and Fauna of Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.gateway-africa.com/fuanaflora/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains photos and basic information on the plant and its uses. So far just over 70 species appear on the site, though they say that it is a work in progress.
,
1296
Title
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta; Medicinal Uses and Nutritional Value
Publication
The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1
Author
Roodt V.
Publisher
Shell Oil Botswana (Pty) Ltd; Gaborone, Botswana
Year
1998
ISBN
99912-0-241-2
Description
A concise guide to some of the trees and shrubs of Botswana, often giving some of the plant's uses.
].

The plant has been used as a remedy for leprosy[
1296
Title
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta; Medicinal Uses and Nutritional Value
Publication
The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1
Author
Roodt V.
Publisher
Shell Oil Botswana (Pty) Ltd; Gaborone, Botswana
Year
1998
ISBN
99912-0-241-2
Description
A concise guide to some of the trees and shrubs of Botswana, often giving some of the plant's uses.
].

Other Uses

A gum is obtained from the stems[
414
Title
Forest, Farm, and Community Tree Network
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/factnet.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A series of in-depth factsheets on a wide range of plants, especially leguminous trees.
]. It has possible commercial, non-food uses[
414
Title
Forest, Farm, and Community Tree Network
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/factnet.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A series of in-depth factsheets on a wide range of plants, especially leguminous trees.
].

The greyish-brown seeds are sometimes used as beads in necklaces[
775
Title
Gemsbok Bean and Kalahari Truffle
Publication
 
Author
Leffers A.
Publisher
Gamsberg MacMillan; Namibia.
Year
2003
ISBN
99916-0-491-X
Description
Details of the traditional uses of over 200 species of plants in northeastern Namibia. Written for the non-expert, there is usually at least one photograph with each plant entry.
].

The powdered root, mixed with oil, is used as a hair dressing[
393
Title
Flora and Fauna of Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.gateway-africa.com/fuanaflora/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains photos and basic information on the plant and its uses. So far just over 70 species appear on the site, though they say that it is a work in progress.
].

The dark-brown wood is very hard and durable[
1296
Title
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta; Medicinal Uses and Nutritional Value
Publication
The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1
Author
Roodt V.
Publisher
Shell Oil Botswana (Pty) Ltd; Gaborone, Botswana
Year
1998
ISBN
99912-0-241-2
Description
A concise guide to some of the trees and shrubs of Botswana, often giving some of the plant's uses.
]. It is not usually available in any but small dimensions, but is used for making various small articles[
1296
Title
Trees and Shrubs of the Okavango Delta; Medicinal Uses and Nutritional Value
Publication
The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1
Author
Roodt V.
Publisher
Shell Oil Botswana (Pty) Ltd; Gaborone, Botswana
Year
1998
ISBN
99912-0-241-2
Description
A concise guide to some of the trees and shrubs of Botswana, often giving some of the plant's uses.
].

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[
1294
Title
Potential of Australian Acacias in combating hunger in semi-arid lands
Publication
Conservation Science W. Aust. 4 (3):161-169 (2002)
Author
Rinaudo A.; Patel P.; Thomson L.A.J.
Publisher
 
Year
2002
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Vachellia+hebeclada>

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