Gum arabic tree.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Deciduous shrub or tree

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 14 a 30 días

Tamaño adulto

15 to 20 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Lento

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 12

Floración

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

Keep this plant in a spot with intense, direct sunlight to mimic its natural desert home. Watch for yellowing leaves or leaf drop, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. It is very sensitive to overwatering, so always let the soil dry out completely between drinks.

Riego

Allow the soil to dry out entirely between waterings to prevent root rot.

Abonado

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.

Poda

Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches.

Trasplante

Repot only when the roots have clearly filled the container, as this plant prefers to be slightly root bound.

Suelo

Sandy or rocky well draining soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 8.5

Temperatura

5 a 45°C

Humedad

10 a 40%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Alta

Longevidad

Long-lived perennial, often 30 to 50 years.

Fragancia

Suave

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Alta

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally non-toxic, though the sharp thorns pose a significant physical injury risk.

Niños

Keep children away from the branches because the hooked thorns are extremely sharp and can cause deep cuts.

Alérgenos por contacto

The sharp, hooked thorns can cause painful skin punctures and scratches.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.

Comestibilidad

The gum arabic harvested from the tree is edible, but raw seeds should be avoided as they may contain anti-nutrients.

Cómo identificarla

• Small, feathery bipinnate leaves
• Hooked thorns in pairs or threes
• Creamy white cylindrical flower spikes
• Flat, papery brown seed pods

Altura

2 a 6m

Anchura

2 a 5m

Hojas

green, gray-green, deciduous

Flores

cream, white, 1 a 2cm

Frutos

brown, Late autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Root rot — Occurs when the soil remains waterlogged for too long in poorly draining containers.
• Scale insects — Small sap-sucking insects that can cluster on stems and weaken the tree.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed, cuttings

Cuándo plantar

Spring

Cuidados en invierno

Move the plant to a frost-free location if temperatures drop near freezing. Reduce watering significantly during the winter dormancy period.

En maceta

It can be grown in large containers with excellent drainage, but it will eventually outgrow most indoor spaces.

Group this tree with other drought-tolerant species that do not require frequent irrigation to prevent root rot.

Buenas compañeras

• Rosa del desierto — They share similar requirements for high heat and low water.
• Sábila — These succulents thrive in the same arid, sunny conditions.

Especies parecidas

• Vachellia nilotica — Shares a similar growth habit and thorny appearance.

Ciencia

Familia

Fabaceae

Género

Senegalia

Orden

Fabales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Sub-Saharan Africa, Oman, and Pakistan.

Conservación

It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild harvesting of gum must be managed to prevent over-exploitation.

It survives in harsh, arid environments by shedding its leaves during extreme drought to conserve moisture.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, habitat for birds

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

gum arabic production, xeriscaping, soil stabilization, fodder

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does it need much water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings.

Can I grow it indoors?

It is difficult to keep indoors due to its size and need for intense, direct sunlight.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Senegalia refers to its prevalence in the Senegal region, while the specific epithet senegal confirms this origin.

Bueno saberlo

• The gum is harvested by making small incisions in the bark.
• It is incredibly drought tolerant and thrives in arid desert conditions.
• The wood is very hard and durable, often used for tool handles.
• It fixes nitrogen in the soil, helping nearby plants grow better.

También en

• Plantas resistentes a la sequía
• Plantas que los ciervos no comen