Senegalia polyacantha
Species of legume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Senegalia polyacantha (syn. Acacia polyacantha), also known as white thorn, is a flowering tree which can grow up to 25 m tall. The species name 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 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Senegalia polyacantha subsp. polyacantha, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Senegalia |
| Species: | S. polyacantha |
| Binomial name | |
| Senegalia polyacantha (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger | |
| Subspecies | |
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Taxonomy
There are two subspecies:[3]
Uses
Repellent uses
The root of Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha 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
The 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,[5] venereal diseases,[6] dysentery[6] and gastrointestinal disorders.[6]
