- Acacia polyacantha
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Acacia polyacantha 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Acacia Species: A. polyacantha Binomial name Acacia polyacantha
Willd.[1]Synonyms Acacia 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]
Contents
Uses
Repellent uses
The root of Acacia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) Brenan emits chemical compounds that repel animals including rats, snakes and crocodiles.[2]
Gum
The tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.[2]
Medicinal purposes
A. 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.[2]
Tannin
The bark is useful for tanning.[2]
Wood
The tree's primary use is for wood.[3]
Subspecies
- Acacia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha (A.Rich.) Brenan[4]
- edit] References
- ^ a b ILDIS LegumeWeb(ILDIS)
- ^ a b c d e PlantzAfrica
- ^ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- ^ ILDIS LegumeWeb Acacia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha
- ^ ILDIS LegumeWeb Acacia polyacantha subsp. polyacantha
External links
Categories:- Acacia
- Trees of Africa
- Fabaceae tree stubs
- Africa stubs
- India stubs
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