Senegalia polyacantha

Senegalia 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. The tree is native to Africa, India, the Indian Ocean and Asia, but it has also been introduced to the Caribbean.

Taxonomy

There are two subspecies:

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.

Uses

Repellent uses

The root of Senegalia polyacantha subsp. campylacantha emits chemical compounds that repel animals including rats, snakes and crocodiles.

Gum

The tree's gum is used in the manufacture of candy.

Medicinal purposes

The roots and perhaps its bark have medicinal uses. The root extract is useful for snakebites and is applied to wash the skin of children who are agitated at night time. The root is also used for treating gonorrhea, venereal diseases, dysentery and gastrointestinal disorders.

Tannin

The bark is useful for tanning.

Wood

The tree's primary use is for wood.