Botanical description
A large thorny tree that reaches a height of more than (15 m). The Nile acacia grows in many areas extending from Pakistan, India, northeastern Africa and Nigeria, including Sudan. Its trunk is rough with longitudinal cracks and a black color. It has branched thorns that are long (6 cm). The leaves are compound, pinnate, double (2-5 pairs) of pinnate, and each pinnate (8-19 pairs) of leaflets. The flowers are yellow and gathered in spherical inflorescences. The fruit is a compressed pod divided into a node, (15 cm) long and (1.5 cm) wide, blackish-brown in color. The seeds are oval-shaped and black in color.
Flowering
Nile acacia trees begin to flower in mid-September, fruit set two months after flowering, flowering period is four months, fruit is collected in early June, (also gives flowering in mid-May for two months without fruit set
(fruits)
multiply
Propagation is done by treated seed.
Pour boiling water over it and leave it for 24 hours. The seed can be treated.
With sulfuric acid.
Benefits and Uses
A drought-tolerant tree, grazed by livestock, planted for preventive afforestation in low-lying areas, to collect floods, establish green belts, and windbreaks. Its wood is good for fuel. The wood is heavy, hard, and resistant, and is suitable as dividers for railway lines. The fruits are used as an astringent for diarrhea and against bleeding, and have many other medical benefits. The tree produces gum and produces a large amount of tannin, which is used for tanning leather. Its flowers have a pleasant scent and are popular with honeybees.