Acacia albida is an interesting and large plant. In addition, it presents interesting characteristics that distinguish it and make it different from the other species of acacias. One of its distinctive features is that it does not belong to the acacia genus.
In this sense, its scientific name is faidherbia albida. The genus of this species is Faidherbia, and it belongs to the acacieae tribe, of the mimosoideae subfamily; and like the rest of the acacia species, such as the acacia seyal and the acacia longifolia, they belong to the fabaceae family.
As can be seen, although they do not belong to the same genus, since these two belong to the acacia genus, while the acacia albida is of the genus faidherbiaThey still belong to the same tribe. For this reason, although they have some similarities, they also present several differences. So let’s see and know a little more about the characteristics of the acacia albida
Description of acacia albida
Let’s see the description of the acacia albida. As we have already mentioned, this type of acacia presents some differences with respect to the other known species. For this reason, it is interesting to know more about this plant.
It is a large thorny tree, as the acacia albida can measure up to thirty meters in height. In this sense, it is different from other species of acacias, whose size can be, on average, up to fifteen meters or less.
In addition, it is a thorny tree, and its branches, as well as its crown, have a round shape. The spines are of considerable size. On the other hand, the leaves present the characteristics of pinnae leaves; In this sense, it comes to have a quantity that goes from ten to thirty pairs of pinnae per leaf. In addition, each leaf has a number of leaflets of about twenty-three pairs of large, greenish-grey leaflets.
On the other hand, the flower of the plant has a size that ranges from four to fourteen centimeters in length. On the other hand, the bark of the trunk has a rough shape with a characteristic brown color, although it can also have a smooth shape and a green color with gray, or greenish gray.
In the case of the youngest branches, these are white, with shades of gray, and in a zigzag shape. On the other hand, the acacia albida thorns They can measure up to two centimeters long. Another interesting feature of this plant is that its roots are very deep, and can grow up to forty meters deep.
Regarding the fruit it produces, this is an orange pod, which can fade to a more reddish and brown tone. In addition, it is thick, and unlike other pods, that of the acacia albida does not open when the fruit ripens, as it remains hermetic. In addition, it measures twenty-five centimeters long, and five wide.
On the other hand, each pod contains between ten and twenty-nine seeds, which are dark brown in color and ovoid in shape; They are also brilliant.
Habitat and location
The acacia albida inhabits on the African continent, as it is a characteristic plant of this region. Thus, it can be found in several countries, which include various African countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, among others.
On the other hand, this plant can also be found in several Asian countries, such as Pakistan and India. In this case, we are talking about an introduction of the human being, since it does not usually inhabit these regions.
The acacia albida is also capable of growing in arid regions; and it is a very useful tree for fixing nitrogen in the soil, especially at harvest times. In addition, it also helps control soil erosion.
In this way, acacia albida is a useful plant, as it helps a lot in these aspects. However, it also has other uses that are very interesting, and above all, they also benefit humans.
Usos
In the case of the plant, the seeds are used to feed cattle, as well as camels. The wood is used for the construction of canoes, as well as tools for farming, since it is possible to build mortars, pestles, hoes, among others.
It also has an important medicinal use. Well, it helps fight infections related to the respiratory system; in the same way, it helps fight malaria, and it is also useful for fever. On the other hand, the bark is used to perform dental treatments, as well as to relieve toothaches.
