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Acacia arabica (Gum arabic tree)

Other names: Vachellia nilotica subsp. tomentosa, Acacia nilotica subsp. tomentosa, Vachellia nilotica, Egyptian thorn, Egyptian mimosa, Thorny acacia, Babul, Thorn mimosa, Egyptian acacia

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Species
A. arabica is a tender, spreading, flat-topped, thorny, evergreen tree with bipinnate leaves divided into small, paired, linear, grey- to bright green leaflets and, in spring, dense, spherical clusters of fragrant, bright golden-yellow flowers followed by green seed pods ripening pale brown, tightly constricted between the seeds.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
15 m 8 m 20-50 years
49 ft 26 ft 20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained, sandy, preferably neutral to acid soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Tolerates extreme heat and drought. Will tolerate light frost when mature. Bark is the source of the commercial product gum arabic. Bark and fruit pulp are used in traditional medicine. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely and feed monthly; sparingly in winter.

Suggested uses

Mediterranean, Drought Tolerant, Wallside and trellises, Greenhouse, Specimen tree, Bees (attract & feed bees), Desert garden/Xeriscaping

UK hardiness

H2

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Low
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Low
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Spreading, Flat-topped

Native to

India, Northern Africa, Southern Africa, Middle East

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 8. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

Propagation

Seeds require pre-treatment. Pour boiling water over the seeds and then soak in this cooling water for 24 hours. After soaking, sow at a minimum of 18C.

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite

Mealybugs

Bark borer

Diseases

Root rot

Prune out unsightly shoots only (only when needed)

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Plant early in spring in sun on poor, well-drained soil

Protect from cold drying winds (in cold areas)

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Apply a fertiliser container grown plants regularly

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Acacia

Companion plants (0)

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