Acacia nilotica - pharaohs mimosa (8 seeds)

Genus comprising 1100 species of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, climbers, cultivated mainly for their flowers and sometimes for their interesting foliage. Acacias are widespread in the tropical and warm temperate regions of Central and South America, Kenya, southern Africa, Polynesia and Australia. Acacia nilotica is a deciduous shrub or tree up to 15-18 m tall with an expanded and flat crown. Branches equipped with 4-6 cm long gray thorns. Leaves, compound, bipinnate up to 3-5 cm long. Yellow flowers gathered in small flower heads. The fruits are elongated legumes containing greyish brown seeds with very hard seed coat.

Pedoclimatic needs

Grow in full sun in sandy soil. It also adapts to calcareous soils. It adapts to the Mediterranean climate, but is also moderately rustic, resisting short frosts down to -6°/-8°C. Very resistant to drought, it is suitable for gardens without water to create impenetrable hedges or as a shade tree. Gum arabic has been extracted from the bark of this plant since time immemorial. The small twigs are also used as a toothbrush in many countries in Africa and India. The plant also has many medicinal and healing properties and is used in the traditional medicine of numerous populations.

Sowing

Scarification with warm water in spring.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Acacia nilotica

Family: Leguminoseae