Senegalia ataxacantha
StarSenegalia ataxacantha
Synonyms: Albizia mossambicensis, Acacia caffra var. rupestris, Acacia eriadenia, Acacia ataxacantha, Acacia ataxantha, Acacia ataxacantha var. australis, Acacia lugardiae
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In African folk medicine the root bark of Senegalia ataxacantha is used as an aphrodisiac, and the tannin-rich bark is taken as an astringent remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery. Various preparations of the bark, roots and leaves are applied for abscesses, sores and wounds, backache, coughs, toothache, headache and stomach complaints (Burkill, 1995; review in IJNRD, 2022). The roots have also been used to make tobacco pipe stems.
Botanical Description
Senegalia ataxacantha, formerly Acacia ataxacantha and commonly called flame thorn, is a scrambling shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae, widespread across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Sudan and south to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It often forms dense, scrambling thickets and can climb over other vegetation to several metres, supported by numerous small recurved (hooked) prickles scattered along the branches rather than at the nodes. The leaves are bipinnate with many small leaflets, giving a feathery appearance. Creamy-white to pale yellow flowers are borne in elongated spikes. The conspicuous flattened pods turn a striking reddish to purplish-brown when ripe, splitting to release the seeds, and are responsible for the "flame" of its common name. The species grows in bushveld, riverine thicket and wooded grassland.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Senegalia ataxacantha.
No notes yet.