Acacia nilotica

Acacia nilotica (= Acacia arabica), commonly known as Babul, Gum Arabic Tree, is a shrub.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Acacia nilotica 11.1 History 11.2 Acacia nilotica in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Acacia nilotica was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was not until 1812, however, that Alire Raffeneau Delile reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics based on a prior description by Carl Ludwig von Willdenow.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Babul is a species in the genus Acacia (wattle) which contains 1200 species and belongs to the family of the Fabaceae (Legume Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Acacia nilotica is an evergreen plant with bipinnate leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are ovate with entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are spherical.

The fruits are legumes.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Acacia nilotica is native to tropical Africa, south Africa and is naturalized in India.

[edit] Cultivation

The Babul can withstand temperatures down to -6,6º C.

[edit] Uses

Acacia nilotica is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Acacia nilotica

[edit] History

[edit] Acacia nilotica in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Acacia nilotica in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Acacia niloticafr:Acacia nilotica