Senegalia polyacantha, also known as white thorn, is a flowering tree which can grow up to 25m tall. Polyacantha has the meaning "many thorns" in Latin.[2] The tree is native to Africa, India, the Indian Ocean and Asia, but it has also been introduced to the Caribbean.[1]
| Senegalia polyacantha | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Senegalia |
| Species: | S. polyacantha
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| Binomial name | |
| Senegalia polyacantha (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
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| Subspecies | |
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| Synonyms[1] | |
Uses
editRepellent uses
editThe root of Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha emits chemical compounds that repel animals including rats, snakes and crocodiles.[2]
Gum
editThe tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.[2]
Medicinal purposes
editSenegalia polycantha's roots and perhaps its bark have medicinal uses. The root extract is useful for snakebites[2] and is applied to wash the skin of children who are agitated at night time.[2] The root is also used for treating gonorrhea,[3] venereal diseases,[4] dysentery[4] and gastrointestinal disorders.[4]
Tannin
editThe bark is useful for tanning.[2]
Wood
editReferences
edit- ^ a b ILDIS LegumeWeb(ILDIS)
- ^ a b c d e f PlantZAfrica.com
- ^ van der Maesen, L. J. G.; van der Burgt, X. M.; van Medenbach de Rooy, J. M. (1996). The Biodiversity of African Plants. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 254. ISBN 0792340957. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
- ^ a b c Uhlig, Siegbert (2003). Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: A-C. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 66. ISBN 3447047461. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
- ^ Speedy, Andrew. "Acacia polyacantha". www.fao.org. Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
External links
edit
Media related to Senegalia polyacantha at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Senegalia polyacantha at Wikispecies- Acacia polyacantha in West African plants – A Photo Guide.
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