(Redirected from Acacia hebeclada)
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.
].
Acacia hebeclada DC.
Acacia stolonifera Burch.
Common Name:
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 | |
Habit | Shrub |
Height | 2.00 m |
Pollinators | Bees, Insects |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
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[
]. It has possible commercial, non-food uses[
].
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
-
].
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