Senegalia polyacantha
{{Short description|Species of legume}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Acacia polyacantha, habitus, Walter Sisulu NBT.jpg
|image2 = Acacia polycantha.png
|genus = Senegalia
|species = polyacantha
|authority = (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
|synonyms_ref = [http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?sciname=Acacia+polyacantha ILDIS LegumeWeb](ILDIS)
|synonyms =
- Acacia catechu sensu Griseb.
- Acacia catechu auct. non L.
- Acacia polyacantha Willd.
- Acacia suma (Roxb.) Voigt
- Gagnebina tamariscina sensu Bojer
- Mimosa suma Roxb.
- Senegalia suma (Roxb.) Britton & Rose
|subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
|subdivision = *Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha (Hochst. ex. A.Rich.) Kyal. & Boatwr.
- Senegalia polyacantha subsp. polyacantha (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
}}
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.[http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/acaciapoly.htm PlantZAfrica.com] The tree is native to Africa, India, the Indian Ocean and Asia, but it has also been introduced to the Caribbean.
Uses
=Repellent uses=
The root of Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha emits chemical compounds that repel animals including rats, snakes and crocodiles.
=Gum=
The tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.
=Medicinal purposes=
Senegalia polycantha's roots and perhaps its bark have medicinal uses. The root extract is useful for snakebites and is applied to wash the skin of children who are agitated at night time. The root is also used for treating gonorrhea,{{cite book |title=The Biodiversity of African Plants |first1=L. J. G. |last1=van der Maesen |first2=X. M. |last2=van der Burgt |first3=J. M. |last3=van Medenbach de Rooy |publisher=Springer Science+Business Media |year=1996 |isbn=0792340957 |page=254 |accessdate=10 November 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9VKdjrt8J9wC&q=Acacia+polyacantha+snakebites&pg=PA254}} venereal diseases,{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: A-C |first=Siegbert |last=Uhlig |publisher=Harrassowitz Verlag |year=2003 |isbn=3447047461 |page=66 |accessdate=10 November 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nobesFx6E7oC&q=Acacia+polyacantha+snakebites&pg=PA66}} dysentery and gastrointestinal disorders.
=Tannin=
The bark is useful for tanning.
=Wood=
The tree's primary use is for wood.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/gbase/data/pf000129.htm|title=Acacia polyacantha|last=Speedy|first=Andrew|website=www.fao.org|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-date=24 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124075517/http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/gbase/data/pf000129.htm|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Senegalia polyacantha}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline|Acacia polyacantha|Senegalia polyacantha}}
{{WestAfricanPlants|Acacia polyacantha}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3320522}}
{{Fabaceae-tree-stub}}
{{Africa-stub}}
{{India-stub}}
{{Mimosoideae-stub}}