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.

Guide botanique

Gum arabic tree.

Senegalia senegal

Prononciation sen-eh-GAY-lee-ah SEN-eh-gal

Aussi appelée Gum Acacia, Gum Arabic, Gum Arabic Tree, Senegal-gum, Sudan Gum, Sudan gum-arabic, Three thorned senegalia

The gum arabic tree is a hardy, drought tolerant shrub or small tree native to arid regions. It is famous for producing the sap known as gum arabic, which has been used for centuries in food and art. You will find it thrives in hot, sunny environments with very little water.

Une autre photo de Gum arabic tree — Photo de Denis Bastianelli (CC BY) via iNaturalist

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Facile
Type de plante: Deciduous shrub or tree
Lumière: Full sun
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 14 à 30 jours
Taille adulte: 15 to 20 feet
Croissance: Lente
Rusticité: USDA 9 à 12
Floraison: Late spring to early summer

Entretien

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.

Arrosage: Allow the soil to dry out entirely between waterings to prevent root rot.
Engrais: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.
Taille: Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches.
Rempotage: Repot only when the roots have clearly filled the container, as this plant prefers to be slightly root bound.
Sol: Sandy or rocky well draining soil
pH du sol: 6.0 to 8.5
Température: 5 à 45°C
Humidité: 10 à 40%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Élevée
Durée de vie: Long-lived perennial, often 30 to 50 years.
Parfum: Léger
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Élevée

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Sécurité

Humains: The plant is generally non-toxic, though the sharp thorns pose a significant physical injury risk.
Enfants: Keep children away from the branches because the hooked thorns are extremely sharp and can cause deep cuts.
Allergènes de contact: The sharp, hooked thorns can cause painful skin punctures and scratches.
Allergènes aéroportés: The pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.
Comestibilité: The gum arabic harvested from the tree is edible, but raw seeds should be avoided as they may contain anti-nutrients.

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur: 2 à 6m
Envergure: 2 à 5m
Feuilles: green, gray-green, deciduous
Fleurs: cream, white, 1 à 2cm
Fruits: brown, Late autumn

Problèmes courants

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.

La cultiver

Multiplication: seed, cuttings
Quand planter: Spring
Hivernage: Move the plant to a frost-free location if temperatures drop near freezing. Reduce watering significantly during the winter dormancy period.
En pot: It can be grown in large containers with excellent drainage, but it will eventually outgrow most indoor spaces.

Seed Scarification

1. Nick the hard seed coat with a file.
2. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
3. Plant in well-draining sandy soil.

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

Bonnes associations

Rose du désert — They share similar requirements for high heat and low water.
Aloès — These succulents thrive in the same arid, sunny conditions.

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille: Fabaceae
Genre: Senegalia
Ordre: Fabales
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Région d'origine: Sub-Saharan Africa, Oman, and Pakistan.
Préservation: 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.

Intérêt pour la faune: nectar source, habitat for birds
Pollinisateurs: abeilles, papillons
Utilisations: gum arabic production, xeriscaping, soil stabilization, fodder

Au fil des saisons

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Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 4/9
Réaction du sol: 7/9
Lumière: 9/9
Température: 8/9
Humidité: 2/9
Nutriments: 2/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

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.

Aussi dans

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