Black thorn, Hook-thorn

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in dry bushveld. It is often on sand and semi-desert. It can tolerate drought and frost. It grows in areas with annual rainfalls between 60-1,300 mm. The dry season can be 6-11 months. It can grow in salty and alkaline soils. It grows from sea level to 1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Also known as:

Katogwa, Magokwe, Mongana, Monka, Muguhungu, Mukotokwa, Oiti, Omuzoana, Swarthaak, Umngaga

Synonyms

Acacia detinens Burch.

Edible Portion

Gum, Leaves, Fruit, Pods

Where does Black thorn grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 1,350 Acacia species. Over 1,000 occur in Australia. Also as Mimosaceae.

Status: The gum is enjoyed especially by children.

Growing Black thorn, Hook-thorn

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds can be soaked in hot water overnight then planted. It is best grown in a nursery in sand then transplanted early without damaging the taproot.

Edible Uses: The edible gum is produced when branches are damaged. The roots are used to sour milk and as a curdling agent.

Production: It grows at a moderate rate.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part	Energy (kcal)	Protein (g)	Iron (mg)	Vitamin A (ug)	Vitamin c (mg)	Zinc (mg)	% Water
Gum	-	-	-	-	-	-

References

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 77

Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 201

Grivetti, 1976, 1979,

Kew Bull. 11:191. 1956

Lee, 1979,

Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/

Mbuya, L.P., Msanga, H.P., Ruffo, C.K., Birnie, A & Tengnas, B., 1994, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Tanzania. Regional Soil Conservation Unit. Technical Handbook No 6. p 58

Marshall, 1976,

Palgrave, K.C., 1996, Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers. p 244

Palmer, E and Pitman, N., 1972, Trees of Southern Africa. Vol. 2. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town p 700

Peters, C. R., O'Brien, E. M., and Drummond, R.B., 1992, Edible Wild plants of Sub-saharan Africa. Kew. p 127

Roodt, V., 1998, Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta. Medicinal Uses and Nutritional value. The Shell Field Guide Series: Part 1. Shell Botswana. p 169

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1999). Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) database. Published on the Internet; http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ceb/sepasal/internet [Accessed 26th April 2011]

Silberbauer, 1981,

Story, 1958,

Swaziland's Flora Database http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora

van Wyk, B, van Wyk, P, and van Wyk B., 2000, Photographic guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Briza. p 36

Venter, F & J., 2009, Making the most of Indigenous Trees. Briza. p 24