_tortilis.jpg){kind=link}
Related on Lably
Through Africa, Middle East and Drought
Distribution and growing conditions
Vachellia tortilis is widespread in Africa, being found in countries like Tunisia, Morocco, Uganda, Angola, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, and Botswana. It tends to grow in areas where temperatures vary from 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F) and rainfall is anywhere from about 100–1,000 mm (3.9–39.4 in) per year.
Sign in to keep reading
2 more chapters are free with a Lably account.
Characteristics
In extremely arid conditions, it may occur as a small, wiry bush. In good conditions, it grows up to 21 m (70 ft) in height. The tree carries leaves that grow to approx. 2.5 cm (1 in) in length with between 4 and 10 pair of pinnae each with up to 15 pairs of leaflets. Its most interesting feature is that it has pairs of thorns; one long, straight and pale, the second short, curved and dark. The flowers are small and white, highly aromatic, and occur in tight clusters. The seeds are produced in pods which are flat and coiled into a springlike structure.
The plant is known to tolerate high alkalinity, drought, high temperatures, sandy and stony soils, strongly sloped rooting surfaces, and to withstand sandblasting too. Also, plants older than two years have shown a degree of frost resistance.
Importance
The pods and foliage, which grow prolifically on the tree, are used as fodder for desert grazing animals. The bark is often used as a string medium in Tanzania, and is a source for tannin. Gum from the tree is edible and can be used as gum arabic. Parts of the tree including roots, shoots, and pods are also often used by natives for a vast number of purposes including decorations, weapons, tools, and medicines.
The Umbrella thorn is also an important species for rehabilitation of degraded arid land; it tolerates drought, wind, salinity and a wide range of soil types, and has the additional benefit of fixing nitrogen, an essential plant nutrient, in the soil via its interaction with symbiotic root bacteria.
Religious connotations
Timber from the tree is used for furniture, wagon wheels, fence posts, cages, and pens. Some religious people believe that Vachellia wood was used exclusively by the Israelites in the bible in the building of the tabernacle and the tabernacle furniture, including the Ark of the Covenant.
It is also the tree under which the historic pledge of allegiance of Hudaybiya of Muhammad was held, as God says in the Quran, "Allah's Good Pleasure was on the Believers when they swore Fealty to thee under the Tree: He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down Tranquillity to them; and He rewarded them with a speedy Victory;" Abu Zubayr said in Sahih Muslim that, "Umar was holding the latter's hand (when he was sitting) under the tree (called) Samura."