Rank Species | Genus Vachellia Higher classification Thorn trees | |
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Similar Thorn trees, Acacia senegal, Vachellia tortilis, Gum arabic tree, Faidherbia | ||
Vachellia seyal, the Red acacia, known also as the shittah tree (the source of shittim wood), is a thorny, 6–10 m (20–33 ft) high tree with a pale greenish or reddish bark. At the base of the 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) feathery leaves there are two straight, light grey thorns, growing to 7–20 cm (2.8–7.9 in) long. The blossoms are displayed in round, bright yellow clusters approximately in 1.5 cm (0.59 in) diameter.
Contents
In Vachellia seyal var. fistula, which is more common on heavy clay soils, some of the thorns are swollen and house symbiotic ants.
It is distributed from Egypt to Kenya and west Senegal. In the Sahara, it often grows in damp valleys. It is also found at wadis in the Arabian Peninsula.
Gum arabic
Vachellia seyal is, along with other Vachellias, an important source for gum arabic, a natural polysaccharide, that exudes from damaged stems and solidifies.
Tanning
Parts of the tree have a tannin content of up to 18-20%. The bark and seed pods of Vachellia seyal var. seyal have a tannin content of about 20%.
Wood
Wood from the tree is said to have been used in Ancient Egypt to make coffins and also the Ark of the Covenant.
Bark
The bark is used to treat dysentery and bacterial infections of the skin, such as leprosy. The bark is also used as a stimulant.
Gum
The gum is used as an aphrodisiac, to treat diarrhoea, as an emollient, to treat hemorrhaging, inflammation of the eye, intestinal ailments and rhinitis. The gum is used to ward off arthritis and bronchitis.
Wood
Incense from the wood is used to treat pain from rheumatism and to keep expectant mothers from contracting rhinitis and fevers.
Hybrids
Vachellia seyal occasionally hybridizes with V. xanthophloea.