Acacia gummifera Willd.

Mimosaceae

Common name(s):

Description

According to the Moroccan Re-Afforestation Guide-book, it is a many-branched shrub, sometimes reaching 5-6 m in height, with tortuous, glabrous, reddish boughs bearing 10-15 mm long spines, grouped in pairs. Leaves are composite, with 1-3 pairs of pinnae each, bearing 6 to 10 pairs of glabrous leaflets, 6-7 mm long. Pale yellow inflorescences occur in axillary glomerules in the axis of upper leaves. The species has fruit pods of about 15 cm, slightly flattened, and curved; slightly contracted in between the seeds and with a very short funicle.

Distribution

Central zone of western Morocco. Grows best in semi-arid to arid Mediterranean bio-climates with mild to warm winters in soils that are usually shallow, calcareous or siliceous.

Products and uses

This shrub has slow growth and may be used as shelter in silvo-pastoral districts. Its leaves and pods may constitute a useful supplementary feed.

Main References

Baumer, M. 1983. Notes on Trees and Shrubs in Arid and Semi-arid Regions. FAO/UNEP programme “Ecological Management of Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands in Africa, Near and Middle East” (EMASAR Phase II). 270p.