Acacia sieberiana

Acacia sieberiana is a perennial tree native to Africa and introduced into Pakistan. This tree grows 3-25m in height, with a trunk diameter of 0.6-1.8m. Its uses include forage, medicine and wood. It is not listed as being a threatened species.

Fiber
Twine is made from the inside bark for stringing beads.

Food
The gum is edible.

Forage
The flowers of the tree make good forage for bees and bee hives are put directly in the trees for this. The tree leaves sometimes contain chemical compounds that when ingested may release hydrogen cyanide and they can be lethal to cattle. They can be lifesaving during dry times of the year.

Gum
The gum is used as food, an adhesive, and to make ink.

Medicinal uses
In Africa, the bark or root is used to treat urinary tract inflammation. The bark has astringent properties and it is used to treat colds, cough, and childhood fever. According to the World AgroForestry Centre,

"A decoction of the root is taken as remedy for stomach-ache. The bark, leaves and gums are used to treat tapeworm, bilharzia, haemorrhage, orchitis, colds, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, kidney problems, syphilis, ophthalmia, rheumatism and disorders of the circulatory system. It is also used as an astringent. The pods serve as an emollient, and the roots for stomach-ache, acne, tapeworms, urethral problems, oedema and dropsy."

Nitrogen fixation
The tree fixes nitrogen, so it takes nitrogen gas out of the air and converts it into nitrogen fertilizer, from which surrounding crops benefit.

Tannin
Tannin is found in the bark and seed pods.

Wood
The wood is fairly hard and it is used for furniture, handles for implements and tools for grinding. The wood of A. sieberiana sensu lato has a density of about 655 kg/m³.

Botanical varieties

 * Acacia sieberiana DC. var. sieberiana
 * Acacia sieberiana DC. var. woodii (Burtt Davy)Keay & Brenan