Senegalia polyacantha

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
Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha (Hochst. ex. A.Rich.) Kyal. & Boatwr. Senegalia polyacantha subsp. polyacantha (Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger
Synonyms[1]
Acacia catechu sensu Griseb. Acacia catechu auct. non L. Acacia polyacantha Willd. Acacia suma (Roxb.) Voigt Gagnebina tamariscina sensu Bojer Mimosa suma Roxb. Senegalia suma (Roxb.) Britton & Rose

Taxonomy

There are two subspecies:^[3]

• Senegalia polyacantha subsp. polyacantha — Indian subcontinent.
• Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha — Africa. Leaves very finely divided bipinnate, with up to 60 pairs of primary pinnae, each with as many as 66 pairs of leaflets.^[4]

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]

Tannin

The bark is useful for tanning.^[2]

Wood

The tree's primary use is for wood.^[7]