Family: Fabaceae
Author: (Delile) A.Chev.
Bibliography: Rev. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. 14: 876 (1934)
Year: 1934
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Faidherbia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Lebanon to Iran and Africa
Description
The Apple-ring acacia, scientifically named Faidherbia albida, stands as a notable member of the Fabaceae family. This remarkable tree, first described in detail in the Rev. Bot. Appl. Agric. Trop. journal in 1934 by A.Chev, spans a wide geographical range, from Lebanon to Iran and across the African continent.
Faidherbia albida is renowned for its distinctive features and ecological importance. The tree typically exhibits a unique, umbrella-like canopy that provides much-needed shade in the hot, arid climates where it flourishes. Its leaves, which fall during the wet season and grow during the dry season, play a crucial role in its adaptation to its environment, conserving water during periods of drought.
The Apple-ring acacia is also celebrated for its symbiotic relationship with the soil. Its roots host nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enhancing soil fertility and benefiting surrounding plant life. This makes Faidherbia albida an invaluable asset in agroforestry systems, where it is often integrated to improve soil quality and support sustainable farming practices.
Beyond its ecological contributions, Faidherbia albida produces an array of resources that local communities heavily rely upon. Its seeds, encased in distinctive, coiled pods, serve as a nutritious food source for both humans and livestock. The wood of the Apple-ring acacia is likewise esteemed for its durability and is frequently employed in construction and fuel.
In summary, the Apple-ring acacia (Faidherbia albida) is a tree of significant ecological and economic value. Its adaptability and beneficial properties make it an essential component of the landscapes it inhabits, supporting biodiversity and human livelihoods alike.
Common Names
Deu: anabaum
Eng: anatree, apple-ring acacia, whitethorn, winterthorn
Fra: arbre blanc
Por: espinheiro-de-angola
Ara: haraaz
Swa: kikalakala
En: Apple-ring acacia, Whitethorn, Winter thorn, Anatree, Winterthorn
Af: Anaboom
Ar: Haraaz
Bm: Balansan, Balasa
Fi: Anapuu
Fr: Kad, Arbre blanc
Ff: Chesi Tiaski
De: Anabaum, Weiße Akazie
He: שיטה מלבינה
Pt: Espinheiro-de-Angola
Sw: Kikalakala
Wo: Kadd
: Applering acacia
Synonyms
- Acacia saccharata (Benth.)
- Acacia aegyptiaca (Baill.)
- Acacia mossambicensis (Bolle)
- Acacia albida var. microfoliolata (De Wild.)
- Acacia albida var. variofoliolata (De Wild.)
- Acacia albida var. senegalensis (Benth.)
- Acacia selenicarpa (Desv.)
- Prosopis kirkii (Oliv.)
- Faidherbia albida var. pseudoglabra (Nongon.)
- Faidherbia albida var. glabra (Nongon.)
- Acacia gyrocarpa (Hochst. ex A.Rich.)
Distribution
- Algeria (native)
- Angola (native)
- Benin (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Caprivi Strip (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Iran (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mali (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Western Sahara (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Ascension (introduced)
- Cyprus (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Yemen (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 13, 2022 by Binoya Joyry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 5, 2019 by Malleswara Rao Malleswara Rao jubburu (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Mayoge Bukapuka (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Emmanuel Kremer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2019 by that’s someguy (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5360150)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:494764-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Faidherbia albida (Delile) A.Chev.)
