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Vachellia nilotica

Accession Count: 0

Common Name: prickly acacia

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Family Name: Fabaceae

Botanical Name: Vachellia nilotica

Synonyms:

Botanical Synonyms: Acacia nilotica

Sub Species: adstringens

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Characteristics: The bark in mature trees is dark brown to blackish grey in color with deep vertical fissures. Young branches are reddish brown to grey in color and may be covered in small hairs. Spines occur in pairs at the nodes on most branches. The spines are white to light reddish purple, 1-3 inches long, and curve downward or backward. The delicate leaves grow to 3 inches long. They are twice compound with 5 to 11 feather-like pairs of pinnae holding up to 25 pairs of bright green elliptic leaflets. The leaf stalks are relatively heavy in weight. Small glands found at the base of the petiole and/or upper pinnae can be almost unnoticeable. Flowers are yellow pompons- typical of Acacia flowers- but nearly 1 inch in diameter.

Compound: Vac nil ads

Geographic Origin: North Africa

Ecozone Origin: Palearctic

Biome Origin:

Natural History: Acacia is from the Greek word "akis" which means "sharp point," while "nilotica" refers to its establishment along the Nile River. However, it is now common in most countries south of the desert through the central tropical zone. The sub species adstringens is found in the western half of the range.

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Color: Yellow

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Spread:

Allergen: Non-allergenic

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Toxicity: Benign

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